Access to media websites blocked, searches and detentions of journalists ongoing throughout Belarus Updated
The website of Nasha Niva newspaper was blocked on July 8. Searches were conducted in the apartment of its editor-in-chief Yahor Martsinovich and in the office of the newspaper, the accounting office and the home of the editor Andrei Skurko. Several reporters were detained but released after an interview under a gag order. The interrogations and searches are conducted under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (gross violation of public order) and Art. 293 (mass riots). Yahor Martsinovich and Andrei Skurko are detained for 72 hours as suspects.
It is reported that KGB officers searched the editorial office of Baranavichy-based Intex-Press media website, the same fate was shared by the independent newspaper Brestskaya Gazeta in Brest. The "mirror" site of Euroradio - euroradio.pl - is blocked in Belarus.
Journalists in Babrujsk, Hlybokaje, and Orša reported detentions and home visits by the police.
New media project by TUT.BY journalists zerkalo.io has been blocked in Belarus today, too.
Belarusian Association of Journalists issued a statement today in which it called on the authorities to stop the annihilation of independent media and violation of the freedom of speech in Belarus. BAJ pointed out that at the moment, 25 media workers are either behind bars or under house arrest, excluding those detained today.
