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2 Journalists in Belarus Imprisoned as Part of a Crackdown on Free Speech, Media Groups Say
Two journalists received 12- and 14-year prison sentences amid Belarus’s ongoing suppression of independent media with 28 journalists currently imprisoned, rights group said.
- On Friday, the Regional Court in Brest convicted two independent journalists, Uladzimir Yanukevich and Andrei Pakalenka, of high treason and sentenced them to 14 and 12 years respectively.
- Following the 2020 election crackdown, more than 65,000 people were arrested and independent outlets closed, while seven Intex-Press journalists were detained in December 2024 after office and home searches.
- Viasna human rights group reports Belarus holds 1,143 political prisoners and Bastunets group counts 28 jailed independent journalists, while state television aired allegations of their links to the German Embassy.
- Andrei Bastunets warned that the sentences show authorities intend to continue sweeping repression in its sixth year, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said, 'Journalism is not a crime...'; also on Friday, Minsk City Court opened Pavel Dabravolski's trial on high treason charges.
- Belarus has faced years of Western isolation and sanctions over its crackdown and allowing Moscow's use of its territory, despite recent efforts to release prisoners, showing ongoing diplomatic tensions.
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2 journalists in Belarus imprisoned as part of a crackdown on free speech, media groups say
A media rights group says a court in Belarus has convicted two independent journalists on charges of high treason and given them long prison sentences, the latest move in the government’s crackdown on dissent and free speech.
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Total News Sources7
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 29%
C 57%
14%
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