{"id":178035,"date":"2026-03-04T14:29:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T11:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178035\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"cpj-demands-immediate-release-of-journalists-janukievic-and-pakalenka","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178035\/","title":{"rendered":"CPJ demands immediate release of journalists Janukievi\u010d and Pakalenka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Andrej Pakalenka (left) U\u0142adzimir Janukievi\u010d \n <\/div>\n \n
\n (BAJ)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 4, <\/strong>Pozirk<\/strong>. <\/em>The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged the Belarusian authorities to immediately release media managers U\u0142adzimir Janukievi\u010d and Andrej Pakalenka, sentenced to 14 and 12 years in prison on high treason charges last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CPJ is deeply shocked by the lengthy prison sentences imposed on the journalists, said Anna Brakha, a Europe and Central Asia senior researcher. \u201cThis verdict is designed to perpetuate the climate of terror surrounding independent media in the country,\u201d she noted, calling for the release of all imprisoned Belarusian journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CPJ also said it emailed the Belarusian Investigative Committee for comment on the case against Janukievi\u010d and Pakalenka but did not receive a reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both journalists were associated with the bar24.by <\/em>and Intex Press <\/em>media in Baranavi\u010dy, Brest region. Their persecution reflects a broader crackdown on independent Belarusian media and journalists, rights groups noted, after designating Janukievi\u010d and Pakalenka as political prisoners two days ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 28 Belarusian media workers are held behind bars over their professional activities, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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