Mahiloŭ-based reporters face extremism trial

July 8, Pozirk. The Mahiloŭ Regional Court has scheduled the first hearing in a case against freelance journalists Aleś Sabaleŭski and Jaŭhien Hłuškoŭ for July 12, MAYDAY.TEAM reports.

Charges against them include association with an extremist group and participation in an armed group abroad. Both are suspected of cooperating with the local independent media outlet 6tv.by, which was branded an extremist group last November in connection with video content critical of the government.

Sabaleŭski has been in custody since December 2023 after being arrested and initially jailed for a minor offense of sharing opposition content. Rights groups consider his persecution to be politically motivated.

Hłuškoŭ was arrested two months later.

The two are among at least 38 media workers held behind bars in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

Also read: Journalist Sabaleŭski prosecuted for cooperating with 6tv.by