At least 25 journalists detained, two of them facing 15-year jail terms

At least 25 journalists were arrested (see list below) during the violent crackdown on post-election protests in downtown Minsk on 19 December, or shortly thereafter, and several of them have been given sentences ranging from 10 to 15 days in prison on a charge of “participating in an unlawful demonstration.” Fifteen days in prison is the maximum penalty. At the same time, two journalists – Irina Khalip, a reporter for the Moscow-based daily Novaya Gazeta, and Natalia Radzina of the Charter 97 website – are facing the more serious charge of “organizing or participating in a public order disturbance,” according to the human rights group Vasnya. Five still detained opposition candidates are also facing the same charge, punishable by 3-15 years in prison. “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all the journalists detained on 19 December,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The arrest of up to 30 journalists is in itself shocking but the imposition of jail sentences and the threat of much heavier jail terms for two of them is unacceptable.” The press freedom organisation added: “We urge the governments of the European Union, the Russian government and European and international institutions to bring all possible pressure to bear to have this repression stopped.” The Belarusian government treats its population with the utmost contempt and flouts all of its international obligations. The modest progress seen in recent months is now proving to have been nothing more than tactical window-dressing. If the authorities do not change course at once, lasting deterioration is inevitable, both domestically and in the country’s international relations. According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), which compiled the data, 22 of the 25 detained journalists were beaten or roughed up. The journalists who have so far been given jail sentences include Ilya Kuznyatsou (15 days), Tatsyana Bublikava (Belsat, 10 days), Zmitser Halko (Radio Liberty, 10 days) and Alyaksandr Astafyev (Moi Rayon, St. Petersburg, 10 days). The Russian journalist was finally released on 22 december according to court official. Other trials are pending. Khalip, the Novaya Gazeta correspondent, was arrested on 19 December with her husband, Andrey Sannikau, one of the opposition presidential candidates. Radzina, the Charter 97 editor, was arrested when anti-riot troops raided the website’s office on the morning of 20 December. Three members of its editorial staff were arrested with her and sentenced to 10 days in prison. Here is the list of detained journalists. It was taken from the BAJ website, where it is available in English and Russian: 1. Tatsiana Bublikava, an independent journalist, a member of BAJ (sentenced for 10 days of administrative arrest)
2. Аndrzej Paczobut, reporter for Gazeta Wyborcza, a member of BAJ (The journalist was detained in Independence Square in the evening of 19 December and brought to Kastrychnitski District Court of Minsk. He was refused an advocate, but the court found him not guilty and set free. According to the journalist, it was due to an active work of his newspaper and Foreign Ministry of Poland.)
3. Kastus Lashkevich, TUT.by, a member of BAJ (was detained, but set free in the morning of 20 December)
4. Aliaksandr Uladyka, an independent journalist (was detained, but set free in the morning of 20 December)
5. Zmicier Sauka, a member of BAJ (location unknown)
6. Tsimafey Kaspiarovich, an independent journalist (was detained at Kastrychnitsky District Police)
7. Ilya Kuzniatsou an independent journalist, a member of BAJ (sentenced for 15 days of administrative arrest)
8. Iryna Khalip, a member of BAJ, a reporter of Novaya Gazeta, Russia (detained and sent to Akrestsina Detention Center)
9. Natallia Radzina, Charter“97, a member of BAJ (beaten by the police in Independence Square and later detained to the KGB prison)
10. Vadzim Zamirouski, “Belgazeta” (kept in Akrestsin Detention Center till December 20, a flash-stick got seized)
11. Khrystsina Shatsikava, “Nash Dom” newspaper distributor (detained and sent to Kastrychnitski City District Police Department in Minsk)
12. Zmitsier Halko (aka Budzimir), Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty correspondent (detained on his way home from Independence Square, location remains unknown)
13. Maryna Vaynova, “Nash Dom” newspaper distributor (detained and sent to Kastrychnitski City District Police Department in Minsk)
14. A TV crew from St. Petersburg (Russia) – released shortly after detention
15. Alaksandr Astafyeu, “My District” newspaper (St. Petersburg) – sent an short message to his colleagues that he had been convoyed to the Partisanski City Disctrict Court in Minsk. Sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention but released on 22 december according to court official.
16. Siarhey Vazniak, “Tovarisch” newspaper’s Editor-in-chief, Uladzimir Niaklayeu’s authorized representative, a BAJ Board member – location remains unknown
17. Aliaksandr Fiaduta, an independent journalist, Uladzimir Niaklayeu’s authorized representative, a BAJ member – location remains unknown
18. Maria Antonova, a France Press Agency correspondent (sent to the Leninski City District Police Department)
19. Dzmitry Ivanou, a “Natsionalny Kontrol” newspaper correspondent (Russia). The journalist was detained and convoyed to the Zavodski City District Police Department in Minsk for personal identification on December 18, 2010 in the evening. He was released some time later. (Source of information – Interfax News Agency)
20. Maksim Piatrovich, a “Natsionalny Kontrol” newspaper correspondent (Russia). The journalist was detained and convoyed to the Zavodski City District Police Department in Minsk for personal identification on December 18, 2010 in the evening. He was released some time later. (Source of information – Interfax News Agency)
21. Pavel Sieviaryniets, a BAJ Council Member (convoyed to the KGB investigation ward in Minsk)
22. Aliaksei Shein, a BAJ member (sentenced to 12 days of arrest by the Savietski City District Court of Minsk, convoyed to Akrestsina Detention Center)
23. Yauhien Vaskovich, «Bobruyski Kuryer» newspaper correspondent, a BAJ member from Babruysk (Mahilou region). The journalist was sentenced to 12 days of arrest. He is kept in Akrestsina Detention Center. Y.Vaskovich was detained in Minsk on December 20, 2010.
24. Yan Lahvinovich, an independent journalist, a BAJ member. The journalist was detained in Minsk on December 19, 2010. He was beaten cruelly by riot police. As a result of this attack, the journalist’s head was injured and his hand was broken. The media worker was sentenced to 10 days of administrative arrest. He is kept in Akrestsina Detention Center. The Detention Center officers refused to take a parcel from the journalist’s wife on December 21, 2010.
25. Ruslan Ihnatovich – «Pressball» non-staff newspaper correspondent, a 2 year student of BSU Institute of Journalism. Mr. Ihnatovich’s group-mates told the European Radio for Belarus correspondents that the Institute management discussed the possibility of expelling the journalist from the University. However, the rumors have been refuted by the Institute Chair Siarhej Dubovik.

These are the presidential candidates who are currently detained: Uladzimir Niakliaeu, Andrey Sannikau, Ryhor Kastusyou, Alyaksey Mikhalevich and Mikalay Statkevich.