{"id":178672,"date":"2026-03-09T19:23:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178672\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"association-calls-for-more-attention-to-belarus-as-authorities-step-up-persecution-of-journalists","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178672\/","title":{"rendered":"Association calls for more attention to Belarus as authorities step up persecution of journalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

March 9, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has issued a statement warning that the regime has increased the persecution of journalists and urging the international community to pay more attention to Belarus. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent days, several journalists have been convicted and given shocking prison terms, the Association says. \u201cThis is happening in the context of cross-border persecution where authorities target journalists who were forced to leave Belarus (criminal prosecution in absentia, asset freezes, the persecution of relatives) and runs counter to the declared improvement of the human rights situation in Belarus linked to the release of prominent political prisoners,\u201d the statement says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many as 28 representatives of the media sector are currently behind bars in Belarus, the Association says, calling on the international community to demand an end to politically motivated persecution in Belarus and the release of all political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BAJ recalls that former managers of Baranavi\u010dy-based Intex Press<\/em> U\u0142adzimir Janukievi\u010d and Andrej Pakalenka were sentenced to 14 and 12 years in prison, respectively, on high treason charges on February 26. On March 6, former BelaPAN <\/em>journalist Pavie\u0142 Dabravolski was also found guilty of high treason and sentenced to nine years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 4, a judge in Minsk sentenced prominent rock musician Aleh Chamienka to three years in prison in connection with his work for the Belarusian-language radio station Radyjo Racyja<\/em>, labelled in Belarus as an \u201cextremist\u201d group. On March 5, ex-journalist Cina Pa\u0142ynskaja and her daughter Marharyta Rabinovi\u010d were sentenced to two years in prison for alleged association with an \u201cextremist\u201d group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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