The court in Brest sentenced journalist Alena Tymoschuk to five years in prison and a fine of 46 thousand Belarusian rubles (more than $14 thousand U.S. dollars).
Alena Timoushchuk was charged under three articles of the Belarusian Criminal Code: “discrediting the Republic of Belarus,” “incitement of hatred” and “participation in an extremist formation.
It's unknown what exactly the crime consisted of. The girl cooperated with many regional Brest publications, but did not write political materials.
Tymoshchuk worked for the state newspaper Brestskiy Vestnik and Brest TV and Radio Company. As a freelancer, she previously cooperated with regional publications, prepared advertising materials and articles on psychology, as she has a relevant higher education.
According to the annual report of the organization Reporters Without Borders, Belarus remains the most dangerous country for journalists in Europe, and every year, since the beginning of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, the situation is getting worse. According to their annual report, over the past year, Belarus has fallen 10 places down in the media freedom ranking.
According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, as of the end of 2023, 37 media workers were serving terms in the country. Thus, in March 2024, a court in Minsk sentenced journalist Ihar Karnei to three years in prison and a fine of 20 thousand Belarusian rubles (more than $6 thousand) for participation in an extremist community.
