Belarus: CFWIJ condemns the detention of blogger Nasta Pilyugina

August 2, 2021- Nasta Pilyugina, a blogger and host of the "dzigital" podcast, was detained in Minsk on the morning of July 29. She left her home around 11 a.m. and was carrying her laptop in her car. Sometime after her departure, she was presumably apprehended. The authorities searched her residence but shared no information regarding her location or where she was detained. CFWIJ condemns the unjustified detention of the blogger and demands the police release her. We continue to monitor the persecution of women journalists in Belarus. 

Reportedly, Nasta's boyfriend, Vladislav, searched for her location with the help of a locator program installed on her iPad. He found her to be present somewhere on Kozlov Lane, an area known to have a KGB (state police) office. Vladislav believes the authorities might have detained Nasta at their station. 

After 5 p.m., Vladislav received a call from Nasta, and she informed him she was coming home.  After some time, security officers arrived at their residence with warrants and searched the premises through the evening.  Nasta and Vladislav were detained upon the completion of the authorities’ search. According to the latest reports, both have remained untraceable. Authorities did not reveal the reasons behind their detention, and their location is still unknown.

As The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the situation in the country, we have documented several violations against women journalists in a detailed report. The cases reflect a staggering number of incidents where women journalists have either fled the country or suffered persecution from state authorities.

A recent example was the massive police raid on the homes of at least 15 journalists, six of whom were women. Authorities confiscated the laptops, phones, and other digital equipment belonging to the journalists. For the journalists who were not home, the police broke down their doors. 

CFWIJ demands the authorities release Nasta Pilyugina and her boyfriend. We believe her detention is unlawful and a clear example of the continuous repression of journalists in the country. CFWIJ extends our solidarity to Nasta and offers her our complete support. We hope she will soon be released from custody.