Journalist Siarhiej Hardzijevič arrested – BAJ

January 24, Pozirk. Security forces in Drahičyn, Brest region, have arrested Siarhiej Hardzijevič, a former correspondent for the Pieršy Rehijon news website, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reported.

He has been charged with disseminating “extremist content,” according to unconfirmed reports.

Last year, authorities arrested Hardzijevič after checking his phone at a border crossing and sentenced him to 15 days in jail on the same charge.

In October 2022, the journalist was released from prison after serving an 18-month sentence for allegedly insulting an official, the head of state and defamation. Human rights groups denounced the charges as politically motivated, but the interior ministry added him to the list of “extremists.”

Pieršy Rehijon has been designated as “extremist content” but is still updated by journalists based abroad.