Belarus’ prosecutors file criminal charges against RFE/RL journalist Dubaviec
January 23, Pozirk. The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed six criminal charges against Siarhiej Dubaviec, a RFE/RL Belarus Service journalist.
Prosecutors accuse him of inciting hatred, setting up an extremist group, staging riots, “rehabilitating Nazism,” denying the genocide of the Belarusian people and defaming Alaksandar Łukašenka.
“In his blog, the suspect . . . spread deliberately false and openly destructive information about the political, economic, social, military and international situation of the Republic of Belarus, the legal status of its citizens, discrediting the Republic of Belarus, authorities and administration,” the office said.
Dubaviec, who lives in a European Union country, dismissed the charges as ridiculous. “My opinions should give rise to debate, not criminal cases,” he told Pozirk.
“The current government is not capable of holding discussions, it just gives orders and engages in repression,” he added.
The Investigative Committee is reportedly in charge of a preliminary investigation.
On December 23, 2021, the interior ministry blacklisted RFE/RL Belarus Service as an “extremist” group. RFE/RL journalist Aleh Hruzdiłovič was arrested on the same day and later given 18 months in prison on protest-related charges. Authorities released him in September 2022.
RFE/RL contributors Andrej Kuźniečyk and Ihar Łosik remain behind bars in Belarus, serving lengthy prison terms on charges widely seen as politically motivated.
Ihar Karniej, who had worked for RFE/RL in 2000-2021, is held in the pre-trial detention center as he waits for his trial.
At least 34 media workers are behind bars in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
- Politics
Belarus: jailed US lawyer asks for pardon, reaches out to Harris and Trump
- PoliticsUN rights council to discuss Belarus on September 23The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPinsk court to try journalist for protestingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Belarusian bishop asks Pope Francis about regional peace
- SocietyInternational fund raises nearly €1.3 million for Belarus’ political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoE platform calls on Georgia to reconsider entry ban for Belarusian journalistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyArrests in Hłybokaje, StolinThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolitical prisoner Załatar released – ViasnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition politician grateful to EP for resolution on BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMEPs urge EU to step up sanctions on MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Łukašenka meets with Donetsk separatist leader
- PoliticsŁukašenka says Minsk has “own standards” for presidential electionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
Rubel slides against US dollar, yuan at BCSE
- Politics
Cichanoŭskaja nominates new social security chief
- Politics
Opposition leader: white-red-white flag to fly over Belarus again
- PoliticsReprisals: teachers in focus over links to blacklisted education projectThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMEPs discuss resolution on Belarus' political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyLatvian national Asars arrested for drug smuggling – customs committeeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHuman rights defenders label 7 as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNames of all 37 recently pardoned prisoners knownThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁatuška receives solidarity prize in WarsawThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Yandex Music takes down Tor Band songs
- PoliticsLatvia contacts Belarusian authorities regarding missing citizenThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNames of 27 political prisoners pardoned on September 16The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEuropean Court of Justice upholds sanctions against Biełaruśkalij and BPCThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights group reports arrests of teachers across BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityCSTO poses threat to Armenia - PashinyanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
Rubel down against US dollar, euro, yuan at BCSE
- PoliticsWomen's Foundation branded “extremist" groupThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSupreme Court upholds prison sentence for exiled rights defender SudalenkaThe material is available only to POZIRK+