Swedish embassy calls for release of media manager Alaksandaraŭ

February 5, Pozirk. The Swedish embassy in Belarus has urged the Belarusian authorities to release media manager Andrej Alaksandraŭ.
“Solidarity is not a crime. Fundamental freedoms must be guaranteed,” the statement stressed.
Alaksandraŭ, a former BelaPAN deputy CEO, and his girlfriend Iryna Złobina were arrested on January 12, 2021. They married in September 2022 in custody and are allowed to keep in touch.
In October 2022, judge Viačasłaŭ Tulejka of the Minsk Regional Court sentenced Alaksandraŭ to 14 years in prison; Złobina, to nine years, on charges widely seen as politically motivated, including high treason, tax evasion and organizing actions grossly disturbing public order. Rights groups consider both political prisoners.
Alaksandraŭ is held at Penal Colony No 1 in Navapołack, Viciebsk region, and is currently working at the prison’s woodworking shop. A flu epidemic reportedly broke out there recently, with hundreds of inmates suffering from an acute respiratory viral infection.
The now-defunct BelaPAN media company that had employed Alaksandraŭ from 2014 to 2018 was branded an extremist group in Belarus in early November 2021.
Since then, authorities have blacklisted 24 media organizations and the Belarusian Association of Journalists as extremist groups.
- Economy
- EconomyBelarus’ car sales fall in JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUkraine sets up directorate for unfriendly states, including BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsProgram of New Belarus conferenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyTwo Belarusians arrested in Batumi, accused of drug possessionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Volunteer fighter's brother has not filed appeal against sentenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: cancer patient endures brutal detentionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyMemorial for Belarusian poet Łarysa Hienijuš canceled amid pro-Russian backlashThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityPoland reports “extremely aggressive” behavior by migrants at Belarus’ borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyAnother MAZ bus catches fire in RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- EconomyProlonged cold spells harm Belarus’ agricultureThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights activists report spike in prosecutions over 2020 protestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsBelarus worst-performing in eradicating torture for sixth consecutive yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus’ top diplomat rails against “digital colonialism” at BRICS summitThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: agents attempt to infiltrate Cichanoŭski’s teamThe material is available only to POZIRK+