June 13, Pozirk. Belarusian human rights groups have declared former journalist Alena Cimaščuk a political prisoner, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports, describing her persecution as “authorities’ deliberate policy to limit the dissemination of uncensored information” and continued attack on freedom of speech.
Ten days ago, a judge in Brest sentenced Cimaščuk to five years in prison and a fine of 46,000 rubels (over $14,000) for allegedly discrediting Belarus, inciting hatred and association with an extremist group, charges typical of politically-motivated cases.
Cimaščuk had worked at the state newspaper Brestskiy Vestnik and television network Brest. As a freelancer, she also cooperated with regional media such as Vecherniy Brest, Brestskiy Kuryer and Brestskaya Gazeta.
The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, Human Constanta and Lawtrend have aligned themselves with Viasna’s statement, demanding an immediate release of all political prisoners and an end to the politically-motivated crackdown in Belarus.
Currently, 38 media workers are held behind bars in Belarus, according to the BAJ.
As of June 13, human rights defenders identified at least 1,396 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.
