

Belarus: Rights groups call for immediate release of musician Aleh Khamenka
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.

Belarus: Security forces target mother of exiled ex-“Belsat” journalist
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”.

Belarus releases 14 political prisoners
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.

Belarus: Interview with BAJ chairperson Andrei Bastunets
“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.”

Belarus: Exiled blogger Anton Matolka sentenced to 20 years in prison in absentia
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.

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

Belarus opens criminal cases against more than 60 journalists in exile
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.

Belarus: Imprisoned journalist pressured to appear in propaganda film
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.

Belarus: Former “Babrujski Kurier” editor sentenced to 15 days in detention
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.

Belarus: Persecution of press intensified in the final months of 2024
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.

Belarus: BAJ calls for end to “anti-extremism” witch-hunt targeting media
The majority of independent media and media organisations, including BAJ, have now been designated as extremist entities by the authorities.

Belarus: Interview with Andrei Bastunets ahead of BAJ’s 30th anniversary
“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

ICC asked to open investigation into “crimes against humanity” in Belarus
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”.

Belarus: Draconian sentences upheld in “Tsikhanouskaya’s Analysts” case
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.