Ex-journalist Sabaleŭski declared political prisoner

January 18, Pozirk. Belarusian human rights groups have declared former journalist Aleś Sabaleŭski a political prisoner, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

He was arrested on December 12 in Mahiloŭ and given two consecutive jail terms for alleged minor offenses. Instead of releasing him when the sentences expired, investigators charged him with facilitating extremism.

His persecution may be linked to the extremist labels assigned to the 6TV Belarus YouTube channel and mogilev.media, a local independent media outlet. Sabaleŭski reportedly quit journalism a long time ago.

Authorities continue attacking the freedom of expression by carrying out “deliberate policies” to stop the dissemination of uncensored news in Belarus, the rights groups noted.  

Viasna, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Human Constanta, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, the Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House, Belarusian PEN, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and Lawtrend have signed the joint statement.