IFJ 25 May 2021
Belarus: an act of state terrorism to arrest a journalist
On 23 May, the Belarusian authorities forced a civilian plane to perform an emergency landing in Minsk, Belarus capital and arrested Belarussian blogger Raman Pratasevich. The International and European Federation of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) have condemned what they call an act of air piracy and state terrorism . They demand his immediate release and those of 28 journalists and media actors currently detained in Belarus. Screenshot video Raman Pratasevich
Raman Pratasevich, 26, is a blogger and former editor of the popular opposition Telegram channel NEXTA and editor-in-chief of Belarus of the Brain, another Telegram channel. Both have covered protests against Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko s disputed election in August 2020. Pratasevich had fled Belarus in 2019, fearing prosecution and currently lives in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Belarus Sentences Two Journalists To 20 Days In Jail As Media Crackdown Continues
May 15, 2021 19:25 GMT
Share
share
Print
Belarus has sentenced two reporters, including one working for German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, to 20 days in jail for allegedly participating in an unsanctioned demonstration.
The May 15 ruling is the latest in a series by Belarusian courts aimed at intimidating reporters covering the state’s brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, critics say
Deutsche Welle freelance reporter Alyaksandr Burakou and independent reporter Uladzimer Laptsevich were detained on May 12 in Mahileu, a town 200 kilometers east of the Belarusian capital, Minsk, where they were waiting to cover the trial of opposition politician Paval Severinets.