February 9, 2021, Minsk – Belsat journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova face up to three years sentence in prison over their journalistic coverage of protests held across the country. The first hearing of the trial against the journalists was held today. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the unfair charges towards Belarusian journalists and demands their immediate release. 

Belsat journalists Katsiaryna and Darya remain behind bars since November 15, 2020. They were detained after broadcasting the protests in memory of opposition activist Raman Bandarenk’s, who was murdered during the controversial Belarusian presidential election in 2020. Katsiaryna and Darya are facing up to three years sentence in prison over charges of organising and preparing actions that grossly violate public order. The first hearing of the case against them was held in Frunzenskiy district court of Minsk.

According to Belsat, the defendants’ relatives, representatives of state-run media outlets and reporters of accredited media outlets such as TASS, Sputnik, KP, Onliner, Nasha Niva, Narodnaya Volya were only the ones who were able to enter the courtroom and followed the case. However, Belsat, which is a news outlet of Katsiaryna and Darya work, didn’t allow it to follow the case.

CFWIJ spoke to Volha Khvoin, editor of Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) about the details of the trial. “Family, diplomats, journalists of state and Russian media, as well as representatives of the 4 independent media outlets were allowed into the courtroom. A number of seats in the courtroom were occupied by ‘athletic men in civilian clothes’, presumably, security forces. No one else was allowed, the doors were locked from the inside with a key, and guarded by two policemen outside”, explains Volha. According to BAJ’s editor the hearing wasn’t transparent.

Four different witnesses appeared in the court and explained the protests and the journalists’ situation in November 2020. According to witnesses, the journalists were broadcasting the protests from an apartment, which they had permission to cover the developments and were invited by the host, and the security forces took them even though they showed their press credentials. The court adjourned the next hearing on February 16, 2021. Volha doubts that the verdict will be announced already on 16 February. However, she is sure that the trial will be a fast one. “It seems like the judge told the lawyers to prepare for the pleadings, and that means that the verdict might come soon after”, she says. 

Luckily both Katsiaryna and Darya are feeling okay and remained calm during the trial.  “We must remember that this is quite an ordeal for them: to spend so much time behind bars as no meetings or conversations with family were allowed”, stresses Volha. In the court, they were not allowed to talk to their family even through the bars. they could only see their relatives. “There was a moment, when Daria saw her mother, she had tears in her eyes, but in general, they stood firm and strong”, adds Volha. 

On November 15, 2020, the Belarusian journalists were detained while they were doing their job. On November 17, 2020, a court sentenced them to seven days of administrative arrest for their journalistic activities. Thereafter the court ruled that their actions did not constitute a crime. However, on November 20, 2020, a new criminal lawsuit filed against the journalists. 

The journalists are accused of taking an active part, and even leading, actions that violate public order through their live stream. Both journalists were kept in custody and transferred to Zhodzina prison. The investigation also claimed that as a result of the journalists’ live stream damaged the city transport agency Minsktrans and allegedly delayed the running of public transport.

Volha believes that - like in the case of Katsiaryna and Darya - all of the other explanations for detentions and arrests of journalists in Belarus are absurd. They are just  a pretext to punish the journalists for their work. This particular case sets another dangerous precedent. Аny, absolutely any journalist who will be live streaming from a protest or public gathering can find themselves in Katsiaryna and Daria's shoes”, she assures. 

Volha emphasizes that international support is still incredibly important as the fight for democracy continues. “We need solidarity campaigns and publicity. Inform your politicians, decision-makers, and the general public of what is happening in Belarus. You can call on your members to address the authorities, and the Belarusian embassies in their countries demanding to stop the harassment of journalists”, she enumerates. 

After the controversial elections won by President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, tens of thousands of people continue to flood the streets amidst harsh police measures. Since the social uprising began, there have been many other arrests and incidents of harassment against women journalists.

CFWIJ is closely monitoring the escalating events in Belarus with great concern. We demand all detained journalists, including Katsiaryna and Darya, be released immediately.