Investigators charge analysts, journalists over links with opposition

January 25, Pozirk. The Investigative Committee has filed six criminal charges against “20 so-called analysts of Cichanoŭskaja,” its press office has announced.
All defendants are reportedly linked to Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, a former opposition presidential candidate forced into exile, and persecuted under special proceedings that target those living abroad and evading contact with investigators.
The charges against them range from inciting hatred and calling for sanctions to creating an extremist group and plotting to seize power.
Defendants are Cichanoŭskaja’s senior political aide Alaksandar Dabravolski, spokeswoman Hanna Krasulina, special representative for elections Alaksandar Šłyk, aide Dzianis Kučynski and journalists Juryj Drakachrust of RFE/RL and Hanna Lubakova, a former RFE/RL and Belsat TV reporter.
Ryhor Astapenia, director of the Belarusian Initiative at Chatham House; Andrej Kazakievič of the Political Sphere Institute; Alaksandar Łahviniec of Free Belarusian University; sociologist Filip Bikanaŭ; researchers Veranika Łapućka and Taćciana Čulickaja; political scientists Maryja Rohava, Alesia Rudnik, Kaciaryna Šmacina, Piotra Rudkoŭski and Pavieł Vusaŭ are among the persecuted.
The list also includes Jaŭhien Kryžanoŭski, Vasil Navumaŭ and SYMPA/BIPART expert Natalla Rabava.
Authorities had opened special proceedings against Dabravolski in December for allegedly interfering with work of the central election commission.
All defendants “participated in the conspiracy to seize state power in the Republic of Belarus by unconstitutional means,” the Investigative Committee claimed.
In all, at least 56 persons face criminal charges under special proceedings, which provide for trials in absentia.
- SocietyPoland seizes medical products from Belarus with Interpol involvementThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyKuźniacoŭ replaces Jafimaŭ as industry ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights defenders label seven as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLukašenka appoints ambassadors to Africa, Middle East, Latin AmericaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsŁukašenka appoints more than a dozen local officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMPs vote to criminalize unauthorized possession of dronesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsPaźniak: Washington can pull Belarus away from RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SecurityBelarus to open six new border outpostsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityLithuania detects irregular migration at Belarus border after days of calmThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ cattle population shrinksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk brands 33 more people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBiełaja Ruś must support “national leader” during 2030 vote – party bossThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyOne in five Belarusian entities report losses in early 2025The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja greets Ukrainians on Constitution DayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Economy
- PoliticsReprisals: Volunteer fighter’s brother sentenced to 1.5 yearsThe material is available only to POZIRK+