Former state TV journalist Dzmitry Semchanka resigned in protest following the rigged 2020 presidential election, and condemned police violence against demonstrators. He is currently serving three years in prison.
This statement was originally published on baj.media on 23 April 2025.
Former Belarusian state TV host Dzmitry Semchanka, imprisoned since 2022, has reportedly faced pressure and provocations in Ivatsevichy Correctional Facility No. 22, including efforts to coerce him into participating in a propaganda film.
A former political prisoner who shared a cell block with Semchanka told human rights group Viasna that Semchanka was offered to give interviews to pro-government media and was repeatedly placed in a punishment cell.
Before August 2020, Semchanka had a successful career in state media. A native of Mahiliou, he joined local television and later moved to the capital, becoming a prominent host on the state-run ANT TV channel. He led a team covering presidential events and won several media awards.
After the contested 2020 presidential election, Semchanka resigned in protest. He publicly condemned police violence against demonstrators and misinformation in state media, and was subsequently sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention for participating in a protest march.
On September 15, 2022, Semchanka and his wife were detained. Initially sentenced to 15 days for “disorderly conduct,” he was given another 13 days for allegedly sharing “extremist content” online. A forced confession video appeared on pro-government Telegram channels, where Semchanka admitted to posting content that «incited hostility towards police.»
While serving administrative detention, authorities opened a criminal case against him under Article 130 of the Criminal Code – incitement of social hatred. The case referenced three social media posts from 2020 and 2021. During the investigation, Semchanka denied any intent to incite hatred but acknowledged criticizing officials and law enforcement.
On March 23, 2023, the Minsk City Court sentenced him to three years in prison.
He was later added to the Interior Ministry’s list of individuals involved in “extremist activity” and labeled a “terrorist” by the KGB.
In November 2022, Belarusian human rights groups recognized Semchanka as a political prisoner.
