Коллаж: Беларусская ассоциация журналистов
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have called on the Belarusian authorities to end the criminal prosecution of media professionals and immediately release all journalists and media workers imprisoned for political reasons. The appeal was made in a joint statement with the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), published on Aug. 7.
The organizations said that six years after the 2020 presidential election, pressure on the independent press in Belarus continues to intensify. According to BAJ, as of August 2026, 21 journalists and media workers are imprisoned in Belarus on politically motivated charges. Among them are people with serious illnesses and elderly journalists. In particular, journalist Kiryl Pazniak was transferred to a prison hospital in May after contracting pneumonia and COVID-19.
The statement notes that several media professionals received lengthy prison sentences in 2026. Among them were former Intex-Press executives Uladzimir Yanukevich and Andrei Pakalenka, who were sentenced to 14 and 12 years in prison, respectively, on charges of “high treason.” Journalist Pavel Dabravolski received a nine-year sentence on the same charge. Radio host Aleh Khamenka was sentenced to three years for “cooperation with the media,” while journalist Tsina Palynskaya received two years in prison on charges of allegedly cooperating with an “extremist formation.” Her daughter was convicted alongside her in the same case.
The journalism organizations also drew attention to the persecution of journalists living outside Belarus. Criminal cases are being opened against them, searches are conducted at the homes of their relatives, their property is confiscated, and they are placed on international wanted lists.
Belarusian journalists in exile also face difficulties because they are unable to renew their passports after they expire. This creates additional obstacles to their residence and work in EU countries, Ukraine and Georgia.
“Not only does Lukashenko’s regime prevent journalists from doing their job and violate the public’s right to information by intimidating, prosecuting and imprisoning them, it also infringes the most basic civil rights of imprisoned journalists and media workers in exile. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to BAJ and Belarusian journalists, and we demand an end to their criminalisation and harassment. We also urge the immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned journalists and media workers,” the statement said.