As campaigning for the 2020 elections began, the Belarusian authorities launched a war on journalists and independent media.
They were stripped of their press cards, beaten, shot with rubber bullets, arrested and detained for weeks, and charged with criminal offenses. Since then, journalists have been arrested on more than 500 occasions.
The Belarusian Association of Journalists monitors all cases of harassment of journalists and media workers. Below, you will find information on those imprisoned on criminal charges.
Aliaksandr Mantsevich, journalist, Rehijanalnaja Hazeta editor-in-chief, behind bars since 15 March 2023
Aliaksandr Mantsevich from Vilejka established Rehijanalnaja Hazeta in April 1995 and has been heading it ever since. It was one of the first private publications in Belarus and, before it was closed down, it became the leading independent media in Maladzechna and the District. Mantsevich had won numerous journalistic contests and prizes for high-quality work.
On 15 March 2023, he was arrested during a wave of raids on regional mass media together with his wife Nina Mantsevich and his colleagues Siarhei Stankievich and Aleh Rubchenia. The latter spent 15 days in detention for alleged “disobedience to the police,” and the wife was released. On 23 March 2023 , it became known that a criminal case was brought against the 64-year-old editor-in-chief and he was transferred to a pre-trial detention center. Aliaksandr was accused of “deliberately spreading false information defaming Belarus and its authorities.” The case was based on articles published in Rehijanalnaja Hazeta from 1 January 2020 to 15 March 2023.
On November 3, 2023, the journalist was sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of $4,625.
Human rights defenders recognized him as a political prisoner. Aliaksandr Mantsevich was named “Journalist of the Year” — an award from the human rights community for defending and promoting human rights in 2023.
Sentence: 4 years of imprisonment under Article 369–1 of the Criminal Code (discrediting the Republic of Belarus).
Birthday: 5 August 1958
Viachaslau Lazarau, journalist, cameraman, behind bars since 9 February 2023
Viachaslau was arrested at home in Vitsebsk. The police searched his apartment and his wife’s home and seized digital equipment: smartphones, a laptop, and a video camera. The journalist was later charged with “promoting extremist activity.”
In 2018 and 2019 Lazarau was fined twice for “illegal production of media products” (part 2 of Article 22.9 of the Administrative Offences Code). In 2020, the Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk dismissed the case against him under the same article. During the August 2020 events, Lazarau was also arrested and kept in detention for several hours without charges.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
On June 6, 2023, Tatsiana Pytsko, the wife of Vyachaslau Lazarau, was detained. Their one-year-old daughter Eva was temporarily placed in a children’s hospital and then with relatives. Tatsiana was charged with participating in an extremist formation after investigators found videos featuring her on Vyachaslau’s devices. In 2020, she had already been fined for joining peaceful protests, which led to her dismissal from her job as a schoolteacher.
The closed-door trial of the couple, allegedly for cooperating with Belsat TV, began on September 5, 2023, in the Vitsebsk Regional Court. Vyachaslau received 5.5 years in prison, and Tatsiana was sentenced to 3 years in prison. In November, the Supreme Court reclassified the charges to “participation in an extremist formation.” Vyachaslau’s sentence was reduced to 5 years, and Tatsiana was released with her conviction deferred.
Sentence: 5 years in prison under article 361–4 of the Criminal Code (promoting extremist activity).
Birthday: 29 August 1976
Pavel Padabed, journalist, cameraman, behind bars since 21 January 2023
Pavel Padabed was detained in Minsk on his way to a post office. He was likely arrested at the post office, as he has not made all the necessary payments and could not be reached.
Initially, he spent 15 days in detention for “dissemination of extremist content.” After that, a criminal case was opened against him for reposting from “extremist” media back in 2012. Pavel was transferred to Minsk pre-trial detention facility. In the autumn 2020, Pavel was arrested when covering one of the protests.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
The trial of Pavel Padabed began on June 28, 2023. During the proceedings, it was revealed that he was accused of collaborating with Belsat TV. He was suspected of contributing to investigative programs covering the disappearance of cameraman Dzmitry Zavadski and the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet. It also came to light that Padabed’s phone had been tapped.
The journalist was sentenced on June 30, 2023, to four years in prison.
In October 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs added Pavel Padabed to the “list of extremists.”
Sentence: 4 years in prison under Article 361–4 of the Criminal Code (promoting extremist activity).
Birthday: 13 May 1979
Larysa Shchyrakova, former independent journalist, behind bars since 6 December 2022
Larysa Shchyrakova, a former independent journalist from Homel, was detained on December 6. Later it became known that a criminal case was brought against her for “discrediting the Republic of Belarus.”
Shchyrakova’s minor son was taken to a children’s shelter on the day of his mother’s arrest. His father, who lives in Russia, was able to collect his son from the shelter.
Back in 2021, Shchyrakova publicly announced that she quit journalism. She worked as a photographer, documenting Belarusian cultural traditions and offering folk-style photoshoots to the public.
Human rights activists recognized her as a political prisoner.
According to case files, Larysa Shchyrakova allegedly posted information online that discredited the Republic of Belarus. She was also accused of collecting, producing, processing, storing, and transmitting information for Viasna and Belsat.
The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs added her to the “list of extremists” on September 22, 2023.
Sentence: 3.5 years in prison under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361–4 (promoting extremist activity) and Article 369–1 (discrediting the Republic of Belarus), a fine of $1,100.
Birthday: 13 April 1973
Dzmitry Semchanka, ex-regime promoter at All-National TV, behind bars since 15 September 2022
Dzmitry Semchanka, head of the “presidential pool,” resigned from the state-run All-National TV after a violent crackdown on protests in August 2020. In September of that year, he spent 15 days in temporary detention for participating in a protest march. On 15 September 2022, Dzmitry and his wife Yulia were arrested again in Minsk. Yulia was soon released, while Dzmitry spent 30 days in detention for “disorderly conduct.”
In October, it became known that Semchanka was criminally charged with “inciting social hatred.” A “repentance video” appeared in pro-regime Telegram channels, where Semchanka explained that there was a comment to his post on social media that the expert committee considered incitement to hatred against police officers.
Semchanka was accused of making three social media posts in 2020–2022 that allegedly formed a “negative attitude toward law enforcement agencies, military personnel, and representatives of state authority in general.” Dzmitry pleaded guilty in court.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 3 years of imprisonment under Part 1 Article 130 of the Criminal Code (inciting social hatred or enmity).
Judge: Yauhen Pisarevich
Birthday: 28 August 1983
Yauhen Merkis, journalist, behind bars since 13 September 2022
Yauhen Merkis is a well-known journalist in Homel who covered the 2020 post-election protests. He was repeatedly arrested, fined, and detained for short terms. After the Lukashenka regime labeled several independent media outlets as “extremist formations,” Merkis turned to local history work. He was arrested on September 13, 2022, following a home search.
Initially, the case was linked to alleged calls for sanctions. Later, he was formally charged with facilitating extremist activity.
On May 30, 2023, he was sentenced to four years in prison.
Sentence: 4 years in prison under Part 3 of Article 361–1 (creating or participating in an extremist formation) and Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361–4 (promoting extremist activity) of the Criminal Code.
Judge: Aliaksei Khlyshchankou
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
Birthday: 8 November 1986
Pavel Mazheika, journalist, behind bars since 30 August 2022
The head of the Center for Urban Life in Hrodna, journalist Pavel Mazheika was arrested on 30 August 2022 when he returned to Belarus from abroad. His apartment and his parents’ house were searched.
Sometime later he was transferred to a pre-trial detention center. From July 10 to 26, 2023, journalist Pavel Mazheika stood trial alongside lawyer Yuliya Yurhilevich in the Hrodna Regional Court. They were accused of Yurhilevich allegedly passing Mazheika information twice—once about her dismissal, and once about the sentencing of artist Ales Pushkin—which Mazheika then reportedly published on Belsat TV, labeled “extremist” by the Lukashenka regime.
On June 29, 2023, the KGB added Mazheika to its “terrorist list.” The next day, the Ministry of Internal Affairs included him in the “extremist list.”
Sentence: 6 years in prison under Part 2 of Article 361–4 of the Criminal Code (other forms of facilitating extremist activity, committed repeatedly by a group in collusion).
Judge: Maksim Filatau
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
Birthday: 25 May 1978
Kanstantsin Zalatykh, director of Belarusy i Rynok newspaper, behind bars since 18 May 2022
The director of the weekly newspaper Belorusy i Rynok was arrested on 18 May 2022 after a search in the editorial office. In June, a criminal case was brought against him for alleged incitement of hatred. He was charged with several political articles, most of which were of a defamatory nature, namely the public dissemination of information bringing into disrepute the honor and dignity of a public official. On 6 April 2023, he was sentenced to four years in prison.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
Judge: Alena Shylko
Sentence: 4 years of imprisonment under Part 2 of Article 130 (incitement of racial, national, religious, or other social hatred or enmity), Part 1 of Article 368 (insulting Lukashenka), Article 369 (insulting an official), Part 2 of Article 426 (abuse of office).
Birthday: 5 July 1969
Siarhei Satsuk, journalist and editor at Ezhednevnik, behind bars since 8 December 2021
A pioneer of investigative journalism in Belarus was arrested on 8 December 2021 after his home was searched. He was taken for questioning by the Investigative Committee under Article 430 of the Criminal Code (bribe-taking).
On 25 March 2020, Satsuk had already been arrested in the same case. The human rights organizations then pointed to “a political motive behind the prosecution of the journalist, aimed at forcing him to stop spreading information about corruption.” On 4 April 2020, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Belarus canceled the decision to take Siarhei Satsuk into custody.
In June 2022, it became known that the journalist was also accused of inciting social hatred (Article 130 of the Criminal Code) and abuse of office (Article 426 of the Criminal Code). It is not known what specific actions of the editor are related to the charges.
On 26 October 2022, Minsk City Court sentenced Siarhei Satsuk to 8 years in prison. He was also punished with a fine of $11,100. According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Satsuk’s sentence is an act of revenge for his high-profile investigations.
Human rights activists recognized the journalist as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 8 years of imprisonment under Articles 430 (bribe-taking), 130 (inciting social hatred or enmity), and 426 of the Criminal Code (abuse of office).
Judge: Sviatlana Bandarenka
Birthday: 15 April 1968
Iryna Slaunikava, journalist for TVP, behind bars since 30 October 2021
Polish TVP journalist and former Belsat staff member Iryna Slaunikava and her husband were detained at the Minsk airport upon return from vacation on 30 November 2021. She spent 30 days in detention for allegedly storing “extremist content” and “disorderly conduct.”
It later became known that Slaunikava was a criminal suspect.
On 3 August 2022, Homel Regional Court found Slaunikava guilty of “organizing protest actions” and “leadership in an extremist formation” and sentenced her to 5 years in prison, one year more than requested by the prosecution.
Human rights activists recognized her as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 5 years of imprisonment under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of, or active participation in actions that grossly violate public order) and Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code (establishment of or participation in an extremist formation).
Judge: Mikalai Dolia
Public prosecutor: Iryna Padkavyrava
Birthday: 12 July 1970
Dzmitry Navazhylau, former general director of BelaPAN media agency, behind bars since 18 August 2021
In the 1990s, Dzmitry Navazhylau worked with Pavel Sharemet as an ORT TV channel correspondent in Belarus. He then headed the news office of Channel One Russia. Since 2015, he worked with BelaPAN. When the agency’s founder, Ales Lipai, diseased in August 2018, Navazhylau became acting and then general director. In January 2021, Navazhylau resigned, but he was anyway searched and arrested on 18 August 2021. Navazhylau, suspected of participating in group actions violating public order, was not released after three days in a detention center.
On 6 October 2022, Minsk Regional Court sentenced Navazhylau to 6 years of imprisonment for establishing and managing an “extremist formation” and tax evasion.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 6 years of imprisonment under Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code (establishing and managing an extremist formation) and Article 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion).
Judge: Viachaslau Tuleika
Birthday: 12 August 1972
Valeria Kastsiuhova, political scientist, journalist, behind bars since 30 June 2021
Valeria Kastsiuhova, founder and long-time editor of the Nashe Mnenie expert community website and author of the Belarusian Yearbook publication, was arrested on 30 June 2021. She was charged with “conspiracy or other actions aimed at seizing power”, “complicity in crimes” and “encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of Belarus.” The details of the case have not been disclosed, since the lawyer signed a non-disclosure statement. The verdict was handed down on 17 March 2023.
Valeria Kastsiuhova’s father died while she was in custody. Human rights activists recognized her as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 10 years of imprisonment under Part 1 Article 357 (conspiracy or other actions aimed at seizing power) and Part 3 Article 361 of the Criminal Code (encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of Belarus).
Judge: Dzina Kuchuk
Birthday: 30 December 1967
Maryna Zolatava, TUT.BY editor-in-chief, behind bars since 18 May 2021
The permanent (since 2004) editor-in-chief of TUT.BY, Maryna Zolatava, was arrested on 18 May 2021 along with 14 other defendants in the “TUT.BY case”. She was accused of complicity in large-scale tax evasion.
All in all, 15 TUT.BY staff members were remanded, including the editorial staff, whose work is not connected with the economic activity of the company, tax payment, or legal aspects. The TUT.BY website was blocked for publishing “information prohibited by law.”
On 9 January 2023, the trial began in Minsk City Court and was held in camera. The verdict was announced on March 17.
Human rights activists declared Zolatava a political prisoner.
Sentence: 12 years of imprisonment under Part 2 of Article 243 (grand tax evasion); Part 3 of Article 130 (incitement of racial, national, religious, or other social hatred); Part 3 of Article 361 (encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus).
Maryna Zolatava was a finalist for the 2022 Belarusian Human Rights Community Award in the category “Journalist of the Year.”
Judge: Valiantsina Ziankevich
Public prosecutor: Tatsiana Hrakun
Birthday: 6 November 1977
Ludmila Chekina, TUT.BY general director, behind bars since 18 May 2021
Ludmila Chekina was arrested along with other defendants in the “TUY.BY case” on charges of grand tax evasion.
Human rights activists recognized Chekina as a political prisoner.
Over the following year, three defendants in the case—Alena Talkachova, Volha Loika, and Katsiaryna Tkachenka—were released from custody and left the country. Their criminal cases were severed, and they were declared wanted.
The trial of Ludmila Chekina and Tut.by editor-in-chief Maryna Zolatava began on January 9, 2023, in the Minsk City Court. The verdict was delivered on March 17, 2023. Both women were sentenced to 12 years in a general-regime penal colony. Chekina was also fined $13,030.
Sentence: 12 years of imprisonment under Part 2 of Article 243 (grand tax evasion); Part 3 of Article 130 (incitement of racial, national, religious, or other social hatred); Part 3 of Article 361 (encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus).
Judge: Valiantsina Ziankevich
Public prosecutor: Tatsiana Hrakun
Birthday: 13 July 1973
Andrzej Poczobut, journalist, behind bars since 25 March 2021
On 25 March 2021, at the height of the Belarusian-Polish diplomatic conflict, members of the officially disgraced Union of Poles in Belarus were searched in Hrodna. The General Prosecutor’s office brought a criminal case for “incitement of national and religious hatred.” Among the arrested leaders of the organization was well-known journalist Andrzej Poczobut, 49. The Union of Poles in Belarus, as well as the Polish government, stated that the prosecution was “an act of intimidation against the entire Polish minority in Belarus.” Following the Poczobut verdict, Poland closed another Polish-Belarusian border crossing, Bobrowniki — Berastavitsa.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
Following the Poczobut verdict, Poland closed another Polish-Belarusian border crossing, Bobrowniki — Berastavitsa.
Sentence: 8 years of imprisonment under Part 3 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code (inciting national or religious hatred or rehabilitating Nazism) and under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code (encouraging sanctions aimed at harming national security).
Judge: Dzmitry Bubenchyk
Birthday: 16 April 1973
Dzianis Ivashyn, investigative journalist, behind bars since 12 March 2021
Dzianis Ivashyn, volunteer editor of the InformNapalm international intelligence community and freelance correspondent of Novy Chas newspaper, was detained by KGB officers on 12 March 2021 in his apartment in Hrodna. The journalist has been charged with “obstructing the work of a policeman” and “high treason.”
His family believes the detention is connected with Ivashyn’s investigation into the service of former Ukrainian Berkut officers in the Interior Ministry of Belarus.
On 14 September 2022, Dzianis Ivashyn was sentenced to 13 years and 1 month in prison and a fine of $9,030.
The journalist refused to cooperate with the investigation and pleaded not guilty. In jail, he was subjected to all kinds of pressure.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner. Ivashyn was awarded the Order of Pahonia by the Belarusian People’s Republic Council.
Sentence: 13 years and 1 month of imprisonment under Article 179 of the Criminal Code (illegal collection and dissemination of information about private life) and Article 356 (high treason).
Judge: Valer Ramanouski
Birthday: 6 June 1979
Andrei Aliaksandrau, journalist, behind bars since 12 January 2021
Andrei Aliaksandrau, a journalist, media manager, and former BelaPAN news agency deputy director, went out of contact on January 12, 2021. Two days later, it emerged that Andrei and his partner Iryna Zlobina were arrested and charged with rioting. The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs said that they had financed the protesters, “including by paying their fines and compensating detention fees.” Human rights activists claimed that these were legitimate charitable activities.
On 30 June 2021, the journalist was additionally charged with “high treason.”
For his poems from behind bars, Andrei Aliaksandrau won the Frantsishak Aliakhovich Prison Literature Award.
On 1 September 2022, Aliaksandrau and Zlobina were married in Minsk jail.
On 6 October 2022, Minsk Regional Court sentenced Aliaksandrau to 14 years of imprisonment on several charges, including “instructing individuals to participate in riots” and “high treason.” Iryna Zlobina was sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment.
Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 14 years of imprisonment (Article 342 of the Criminal Code (preparation of or participation in actions that grossly violate public order), Article 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion), Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code (establishment of or participation in an extremist formation), Article 356 of the Criminal Code (high treason)).
Judge: Viachaslau Tuleika
Birthday: 27 January 1978
Katsiaryna Andreyeva, Belsat TV journalist, behind bars since 15 November 2020
On 15 November 2020, Katsiaryna Andreyeva (Bakhvalava) was arrested in an apartment on the Square of Change, from where she was broadcasting the protests for the Belsat TV channel. Ten SWAT officers broke the door and rushed inside ordering her to pack her things. Katsiaryna was not told what she was being arrested for.
Andreyeva was administratively detained for a week for “participation in an unauthorized public assembly and disobedience to the police.” She pleaded not guilty and accused the police officers who drew up the report of giving false testimony. She was later accused of organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order.
On 18 February 2021, she was sentenced to two years of imprisonment.
On 10 February 2022, Katsiaryna was transferred back to jail and charged with “high treason.” On 13 July 2022, Aleh Kharoshka, a judge of Homel Regional Court, sentenced the journalist to 8 years and 3 months of imprisonment.
The journalist was recognized as a political prisoner. Andreyeva was awarded the Order of Pahonia by the Belarusian People’s Republic Council.
Sentence: 2 years of imprisonment under 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order) and 8 years and 3 months of imprisonment under Article 356 of the Criminal Code (high treason).
Judges: Natallia Buhuk (first sentence), Aleh Kharoshka (second sentence).
Birthday: 2 November 1993
Ihar Losik, RFE/RL Belarus journalist, behind bars since 25 June 2020
Ihar Losik was arrested on June 25 in his home in Baranavichy. His apartment was searched and the journalist was escorted to Minsk, where he was charged with “preparation for violation of public order.”
He went on hunger strike for 41 days (from 15 December 2020 to 25 January 2021) to protest against the new charges of preparation to participate in mass riots.
On 14 December 2021, in a closed session held inside the jail, the Homel Regional Court sentenced Losik to 15 years of imprisonment. Commenting on the verdict, Ihar said that there was not a single expert report or publication proving his guilt on the charges brought against him.
His 4‑year-old daughter, Paulina, is waiting for him on the outside.
On 18 October 2022, law enforcers detained Ihar’s wife, Daria Losik, who fought for her husband’s release. She was accused of “facilitating extremist activities.” Daria Losik was sentenced to two years of imprisonment. Judge: Mikalai Hryharovich.
On 4 November 2022, the Interior Ministry included Losik in the List of Persons Involved in Extremist Activities.
The human rights activists recognized Ihar and Daria Losiks as political prisoners. Ihar and Daria were awarded the Order of Pahonia by the Belarusian People’s Republic Council.
Sentence: 15 years of imprisonment under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (preparation for gross violation of public order) and Part 2 of Article 293 (preparation for participation in mass riots).
Judge: Mikalai Dolia
Public prosecutor: Dzianis Mikushau
Birthday: 20 May 1992
Ihar Karnei, journalist, behind bars since 17 July 2023.
Ihar Karnei, journalist, behind bars since July 17, 2023
Ihar Karnei is a former correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty who spent over twenty years covering life and events in Belarus. He is also an essayist and the author of texts on Belarus’s cultural and historical heritage and travel reports from around the world.
He was detained on July 17, 2023. A search was conducted at his home, and he was taken into administrative detention. The reason for his arrest was not disclosed. After serving the 10 days, he was criminally charged with “participating in an extremist formation” and transferred to a pre-trial detention center.
Karnei was detained in November 2020 before a protest march and sentenced to 10 days in detention.
His trial began on March 19, 2024, at the Minsk City Court. He was prosecuted for cooperating with the Belarusian Association of Journalists, which the Belarusian authorities had labeled an “extremist formation.” On March 22, 2024, he was sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment and fined $6,190.
On June 28, 2024, Ihar Karnei was added to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ “extremist list.”
On December 11, 2024, the Shklou District Court convicted him again for “persistent disobedience to the prison administration,” adding another 8 months to his sentence.
Human rights organizations recognize Ihar Karnei as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 3 years and 8 months in prison under Part 3 of Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (participation in an extremist formation) and Part 1 of Article 411 (persistent disobedience to prison administration demands), a fine of $6,190.
Judges: Siarhei Katsar, Aliaksandr Tarakanau
Birthday: 1 January 1968
Yauhen Hlushkou, journalist, videographer, behind bars since 5 January 2024
Yauhen Hlushkou is a former journalist and videographer from Mahilou who worked with municipal television and local news outlets in the 1990s and 2000s.
He last contacted friends on January 4, 2024. Neighbors later reported seeing police escorting him from home, and contact with him ceased. Hlushkou, who lived alone and had limited contact with his family, is believed to have been detained on January 4 or 5. An investigator later informed his wife that he was under investigation.
Security forces reportedly forced him to record a video stating he had collaborated with the 6tv.by media outlet, which Belarusian authorities have labeled an “extremist formation.” This came amid a broader wave of arrests and searches targeting Mahilou journalists in December 2023, following the designation of Mogilev.Media and 6TV Belarus as extremist groups.
In 2018, Hlushkou was fined $370 for “creating media content without press credentials.”
According to the MayDay Team human rights activists, Hlushkou was arrested during a raid on his home after refusing to open the door. Reports suggest he may face charges under Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code for alleged participation in an extremist formation.
The trial of Yauhen Hlushkou and Ales Sabaleuski began on July 12, 2024, at the Mahilou Regional Court. Hlushkou was found guilty of “participation in the war in Ukraine” and “creating and participating in an extremist formation.” On July 31, 2024, Hlushkou was sentenced to three years in prison.
Human rights activists recognized Yauhen Hlushkou as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 3 years in prison under Part 1 of Article 361–3 of the Belarusian Criminal Code (participation in hostilities on the territory of a foreign state without authorization from the state); Part 1 of Article 361–1 (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it); part 3 of Article 361–1 (participation in an extremist formation). He was also fined $2.500.
Judge: Dzmitry Kranzhyeuski
Birthday: 11 December 1968
Ales Sabaleuski, blogger, freelancer, behind bars since 12 December 2023
Ales Sabaleuski is a former Mahilou blogger and journalist who has worked with several independent regional publications. He ran a YouTube channel covering cultural and social life in Mahilou.
The blogger was arrested on the morning of December 12, 2023 in Mahilou. He was visited by the police at the rental office where he worked A few days earlier, multiple Mahilou journalists had been arrested and searched. They were interrogated by the KGB when the Mahilou.Media and 6TV Bielarus were recognized as “extremist formations”.
Sabaleuski was initially detained for 10 days on unknown charges. Then another administrative report was drawn up against him – for distributing “extremist” materials (Article 19.11 of the Administrative Offenses Code). However, even after the second administrative detention that ended on January 6, he was not released.
According to the Mayday Team Telegram channel, run by Mahilou journalists and human rights activists, Ales Sabaleuski may have been transferred to a pre-trial detention center.
In January 2021, Sabaleuski was already searched. At that time, the editorial office of the Mahilouski Rehijon website and the homes of several regional journalists were raided. The equipment seized during the searches was not returned to the journalists until October 2022.
According to Ales Sabaleuski’s cellmates, he was beaten during interrogations, and bruises were visible on his body.
Human rights activists suggest that Ales Sabaleuski’s criminal prosecution may be linked to the fact that regional media, including the YouTube channel 6TV Belarus and the Mahilou.Media website, were deemed “extremist formations.”
The trial of Ales Sabaleuski and Yauhen Hlushkou began on 12 July 2024 in the Mahiliou Regional Court. Sabaleuski was found guilty of “participation in the war in Ukraine” and “creation and participation in an extremist formation.” The verdict was delivered on 31 July 2024. Sabaleuski was sentenced to four years in prison.
Ales Sabaleuski was recognized as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 3 years in prison under Part 1 of Article 361–3 of the Belarusian Criminal Code (participation in hostilities on the territory of a foreign state without authorization from the state); Part 1 of Article 361–1 (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it); part 3 of Article 361–1 (participation in an extremist formation). He was also fined $2.500.
Judge: Dzmitry Kranzhyeuski
Birthday: 15 December 1967
Aliaksandr Liubianchuk, journalist, behind bars since 26 May 2022
In addition to journalism, Aliaksandr Liubianchuk was involved in charity work, organized hiking trips, and helped preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Navahrudak region. He was detained following a search in the village of Kryvichy in the Iwye District on May 26, 2022. The specific charges against him remained unknown until the trial.
On October 27, the Minsk City Court announced the verdict: 3 years in prison for “creating or participating in an extremist group.”
Human rights organizations have recognized him as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 3 years in prison under Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code (creating or participating in an extremist group).
Judge: Alena Ananich
Birthday: September 1
Andrei Famin, copywriter, behind bars since 26 October 2022
Andrei Famin is originally from Mahiliou and lived in Minsk. He graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Arts and worked as a copywriter.

Andrei Famin
His trial began on June 15, 2023. Famin was accused of allegedly being the editor and author of articles for the samizdat network Viesniki, which was declared an “extremist group” a month and a half after his arrest. He was also charged with participating in a protest march on August 30, 2020, and calling for sanctions.
On June 21, 2023, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Human rights organizations have recognized Andrei Famin as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 7 years of imprisonment under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code (calls for sanctions), Part 1 of Article 342 (participation in actions that grossly violate public order), Part 3 of Article 361–1 (creating an extremist formation).
Judge: Anzhela Kastsiukevich
Birthday: 3 November 1993
Aliaksandr Ihnatsiuk, freelance journalist, behind bars since 18 July 2023
Aliaksandr Ihnatsiuk is a freelance journalist from the Palessie region. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he published the independent regional newspaper Viacherni Stolin and served as its editor-in-chief. In December 2003, Ihnatsiuk was convicted of “insulting” the former Stolin District Executive Committee chairman, Uladzimir Pashkevich. He was fined $230.
The Ministry of Information repeatedly suspended the newspaper’s publication, and Viacherni Stolin was eventually shut down. Later, Ihnatsiuk created the website Pra Stolin. On February 13, 2024, the website stolin.by and Ihnatsiuk’s personal Vkontakte page were designated as “extremist materials”; both had already been blocked in Belarus.
Ihnatsiuk was detained on July 18, 2023. His trial occurred behind closed doors from March 15 to April 5, 2024, in the Stolin District Court. He was found guilty of organizing protests in Stolin and Minsk, “defaming Lukashenka,” and “extortion.” He was sentenced to 6 years in prison and fined $2,660.
Human rights organizations have recognized Aliaksandr Ihnatsiuk as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 6 years in prison under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 208 of the Belarusian Criminal Code (extortion), Part 1 of Article 342 (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order), Part 2 of Article 367 (defamation of Lukashenka), a fine of $2,660.
Judge: Siarhei Nasenia
Date of birth: 12 October 1971
Anton Kazelski, ONT cameraman, behind bars since 12 October 2023
Anton Kazelski was a cameraman for the state-run television channel ONT from 2022 to 2023. He had previously lived in Russia and was residing in Minsk at the time of his arrest. He is married and the father of four children. His youngest child was born after his detention.
Kazelski was arrested at his workplace. According to a former cellmate, a colleague had called him into work and told him to bring his equipment. He is accused of “calls for sanctions and other actions aimed at harming national security” and “inciting hatred.” The charges may be related to comments he allegedly made on Telegram.
His trial began on May 20, 2024, in the Minsk City Court. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
Human rights organizations have recognized Anton Kazelski as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 3 years in prison under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code (calls for sanctions and other actions to harm national security), Part 1 of Article 130 (incitement to hatred).
Judge: Sviatlana Makarevich
Anastasiya Matsyash, linguist, copy editor, and proofreader, behind bars since 15 November 2023
Anastasiya Matsyash is a philologist, linguist, and editor. She was detained on November 15, 2023, and charged with cooperating with Belsat TV, which has been designated an “extremist formation” in Belarus.
According to the case files, Anastasiya worked as a language consultant for Poland’s public broadcaster TVP from June 2021 to November 2023. Her duties included consulting, translating, proofreading, and editing texts that Belsat later used. The prosecution claimed that Matsyash received an income of 40,000 Polish złoty, $12,258, and €8,575 for her alleged involvement in “extremist activities.” Matsyash pleaded not guilty.
On April 19, 2024, the Minsk City Court sentenced her to two years in prison and imposed a fine of $6,120. Her personal computer and mobile phone were confiscated. The court also ruled to recover $31,320 from her as “income derived from criminal activity.”
Human rights organizations have recognized Anastasiya Matsyash as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 2 years in prison under Part 3 of Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (participation in an extremist formation).
Judge: Sviatlana Makarevich
Birthday: 27 April 1975
Ales Marchanka, videographer, behind bars since 4 January 2024
Ales Marchanka was initially detained in an administrative case on 19 October 2023. He was sentenced to two consecutive 15-day detentions. In one instance, he was accused of “disseminating extremist materials” (Part 2 of Article 19.11 of the Administrative Violations Code).
He was taken into custody in a criminal case on January 4, 2024, accused of cooperating with the Belsat TV channel. His trial began on March 25, 2024, in the Minsk City Court, and he was sentenced to three years in prison.
Sentence: 3 years in prison under Part 3 of Article 361–1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (participation in an extremist formation)
Judge: Sviatlana Makarevich
Birthday: 27 May 1961
Alena Tsimashchuk, journalist, date of detention unknown
Alena Tsimashchuk was a freelance journalist for regional outlets such as Vecherniy Brest, Brestskiy Kurier, Brestskaya Gazeta, Virtualny Brest, and Brestskiy Zelyony Portal. She did not publish politically oriented content during her time with independent media. Her work focused on psychological topics (she is trained as a psychologist) and included advertising articles.
The exact date of her detention is unknown. She was charged with “discrediting the Republic of Belarus,” “inciting other forms of social hatred,” and “participation in an extremist formation.” Her trial was held at the Brest Regional Court.
On June 3, 2024, Alena Tsimashchuk was sentenced to five years in prison and fined $14,375.
Human rights organizations have recognized her as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 5 years in prison under Article 369–1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (discrediting the Republic of Belarus), Part 3 of Article 130 (inciting other forms of social hatred), and Part 3 of Article 361–1 (participation in an extremist formation), along with a fine of $14,375.
Judge: Dzmitry Karasinski
Volha Radzivonava, journalist, behind bars since 7 March 2024
Volha Radzivonava was detained on March 7, 2024. During the investigation, she was sent for psychiatric evaluation.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, Radzivonava authored a series of articles for the German publication Die Tageszeitung that allegedly contained “statements aimed at inciting national and social hatred, discrediting the Republic of Belarus, as well as defamation and insults against Aliaksandr Lukashenka.”
On December 10, 2024, Radzivonava was imprisoned for four years and fined $1,150. The court also ordered her to forfeit income received from the publication of the articles.
Volha’s mother, who is over 80 years old, is in poor health and requires constant care.
Human rights organizations have recognized Radzivonava as a political prisoner.
Sentence: 4 years in prison under Part 1 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code (insulting the President of the Republic of Belarus), Part 1 of Article 130 (incitement of other social hatred or discord), Parts 1 and 2 of Article 367 (defamation of the President), and Article 369–1 (discrediting the Republic of Belarus), along with a fine of $1,150.
Judge: Vera Halaukova
Yauhen Nikalayevich, journalist, behind bars since 15 April 2024
Yauhen Nikalayevich is a photo and video correspondent for the regional outlet Media-Polesye. In 2020, he covered the protests in Pinsk against falsifying presidential election results. On August 10, 2020, he was detained while working in the city and beaten.
At the end of August 2020, Nikalayevich was detained again while covering a peaceful protest in Pinsk. He was sentenced to administrative detention, which he served in November 2020. Afterward, he left Belarus and worked abroad in a field unrelated to journalism.
In early 2024, Nikalayevich returned to Belarus. He was charged with “organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order, or actively participating in them.” In early October 2024, he was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison in Pinsk.
Sentence: 1.5 years in prison under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them).
Judge: Yauheniya Melnik
Birthday: 25 December 1996
Daniil Palianski, journalist, behind bards since 3 September 2024
Daniil Palianski is a journalist and videographer from Brest. He worked with both state and commercial TV channels and independent regional websites. In recent years, he volunteered with the search and rescue group “Angel” in Brest.
In early September 2024, he traveled to Russia to visit relatives. On the way, he was stopped by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers, who accused him of failing to comply with their orders and not presenting his documents. Upon his return to Brest, he was detained by the Belarusian KGB.
Palyanski is accused of high treason. He has been recognized as a political prisoner.
Charge: Article 356 of the Criminal Code (high treason)
Ihar Ilyash, journalist, behind bars since 22 October 2024
Ihar Ilyash is a journalist who has worked with various independent Belarusian media outlets. His detention was reported in October 2024 by pro-government Telegram channels. According to these sources, Ilyash is accused of assisting extremist formations — for giving interviews to independent media — and allegedly collecting information for foreign intelligence services by commenting for Ukrainian publications.
Previously, Ilyash was detained on July 16, 2021, during a nationwide crackdown on independent journalists. His apartment was searched, and his equipment and books were seized. He was detained as part of a criminal case and held in a temporary detention facility for 10 days. He was then released on July 26, 2021.
His wife, journalist Katsiaryna Bakhvalava, has been imprisoned for political reasons since November 15, 2020. She was initially sentenced to 2 years in prison; later, the sentence was increased to 8 years and 3 months.
Ilyash’s trial began on February 21, 2025, in the Minsk City Court. On March 13, 2025, it became known that the judge announced a pause in the hearings and sent his analytical publications for expert review.
Ihar Ilyash has been recognized as a political prisoner.
Charges: Article 369–1 of the Criminal Code (discrediting the Republic of Belarus), Part 2 of Article 361–4 (promoting extremist activity)
Judge: Siarhei Katsar
Birthday: 18 July 1988
Siarhei Chabotska, owner and editor of the Hrodna-based news portal s13.ru, behind bars since 23 October 2024
He was initially arrested on administrative charges and sentenced to three consecutive 15-day detention terms—a total of 45 days—allegedly for “dissemination of extremist materials” and “violation of rules for organizing or conducting mass events.” These sentences were set to end on December 7. However, it later emerged that a criminal case had been opened against him under charges of “creating or participating in an extremist formation.” Chabotska is currently held in pre-trial detention.
On December 9, 2024, the KGB designated the s13.ru website an “extremist formation.” The outlet website and social media pages have not been updated since Chabotska’s detention.
Charges: Unknown
Birthday: 13 June 1983