Belarus

In June 2025, Aleh Khamenka, a musician, teacher, and radio host, was detained in Minsk. A criminal case has been initiated against him for cooperating with an “extremist” Belarusian media outlet.

Law enforcement officers interrogated Siarhei Skulavets’s mother twice, wanting to know if he planned to return to Belarus. They told her that he would “be considered a criminal no matter what, even if the political situation changes”.

Among those released was Ihar Karnei, a former journalist with RFE/RL’s Belarusian Service, and Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who attempted to run for president against Lukashenka in 2020.

“In this world of conflicts and wars, it is crucial to ensure that Belarus, Belarusian media and imprisoned Belarusian journalists are not forgotten – and to ensure we do not become a blank spot on the world map.”

The charges against Matolka included attempting an unconstitutional seizure of power, organising mass unrest, inciting social hatred, insulting and slandering the president, spreading disinformation, and state treason.

A monthly chronology of repression and resistance in Belarus, based on the work of IFEX members and other international and domestic actors.

Journalists are being charged under so-called “special proceedings,” a 2022 addition to the criminal procedure code that allows Belarusian authorities to convict people in absentia.

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.

Anatol Sanatsenka was charged with producing and disseminating ‘extremist’ content. In 2022, he was detained and convicted twice on similar charges, and spent 30 days behind bars.

The final quarter of 2024 saw an increase in the criminal prosecution of journalists at home and in absentia, more searches of journalists’ homes and offices, and broader censorship.

The majority of independent media and media organisations, including BAJ, have now been designated as extremist entities by the authorities.

“Today, we are exceptionally inspired by one action – the Solidarity Marathon with Imprisoned Journalists. It has been held in over 20 countries on five continents and counting.” – Andrei Bastunets

Lithuania, which referred Belarus to the ICC, alleges that since 2020, “crimes against humanity – including deportation, persecution and other inhumane acts – have been carried out against the civilian population of Belarus”.

The Supreme Court rejected the appeals of 20 independent analysts, researchers, and politicians sentenced to imprisonment in absentia, and confirmed their sentences of 10-11 years each.