TALLINN, Estonia — Seven journalists from an independent regional news outlet in Belarus have been taken into custody, according to a report from a media watchdog. This incident represents yet another instance in a broader campaign targeting dissent and restricting freedom of expression under the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko.
The Belarusian Association of Journalists indicated that the arrested group, comprised of members from the Intex-Press online newspaper located in Baranavichy, includes the publication’s founder, Uladzimir Yanukevich. The arrests occurred earlier this month, with the journalists facing charges related to “supporting extremist activities.” Such allegations have frequently been employed by the government to suppress independent media voices.
As the January election approaches, in which Lukashenko is campaigning for a seventh consecutive term, law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to eliminate dissent. Andrei Bastunets, the head of the association, remarked that this group of journalists marks the largest cohort arrested from a single media outlet within a year, indicating a significant uptick in repressive actions. He suggested that the authorities appear to be targeting journalists whom they perceive as disloyal ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
In a related development, independent journalist Volha Radzivonava was recently sentenced to four years behind bars for her critical reporting, which highlighted the ongoing suppression of dissent under Lukashenko’s rule. The government’s response to widespread protests from 2020, following a widely challenged election result that extended Lukashenko’s reign, has led to a severe crackdown, with approximately 65,000 people having been arrested.
Key opposition leaders have either been jailed or forced into exile, with independent media outlets also facing closure. Human rights advocates report that there are around 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus, many of whom are reportedly deprived of necessary medical treatment and contact with relatives.
Intex-Press, like other independent media, has faced intense governmental pressure for its coverage of the 2020 protests. Eventually, the outlet lost its registration status and was classified as “extremist.” Currently, the Belarusian Association of Journalists noted that there are 42 journalists being detained under politically motivated charges. An international press rights organization has positioned Belarus as the fourth-highest nation globally for the number of imprisoned journalists.
Lukashenko’s governance, enduring for over three decades, has relied heavily on financial backing and support from the Kremlin. Additionally, he has permitted Russia to use Belarusian territory for military operations in neighboring Ukraine and to station some tactical nuclear weapons in the country.
