Imprisoned Belarus journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva begins new trial on treason charges

On July 4, Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva’s trial on treason charges started behind closed doors in the southeastern city of Homel. Andreyeva, a correspondent for Poland-based independent broadcaster Belsat TV, has been imprisoned since November 2020, when she was detained alongside camera operator Daria Chultsova while livestreaming protests against President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s rule.

Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, called on Belarusian authorities to “immediately stop this sham trial and release Katsiaryna Andreyeva and all other imprisoned journalists.” She added, “Trying an already-jailed journalist on trumped-up retaliatory charges only shows the vindictive nature of the Belarusian government under President Aleksandr Lukashenko. It’s clear that nothing will stop authorities from trying to silence those who covered the 2020 protests demanding Lukashenko’s resignation.”