Two journalists from “Radio Racyja” are convicted to a three-day arrest

Henadz Barbarych and Aliaksandr Jarashevich, “Radio Racyja” journalists, are found guilty of disobedience to police.

Let us recall that the journalists, together with other activists, were arrested following the “Charnobylski Path” move, an annual demonstration organised to commemorate the anniversary of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident. Half an hour before the action started Iryna Sukhij, as well as Volha Kanavalava, Vasil Semyanikhin and Kanstantsin Kirylenka, the activists of the antinuclear movement were detained when leaving the apartment. The reporters from the “Radio Racyja” had to stand trial on April 29.

A Polish-based radio station, has issued a statement protesting the arrest of its two reporters. 

“Radio Racyja is an independent media outlet that spreads unbiased and accurate information,” the statement says. “It is not the first time that journalists of our radio station have been hindered in their work. Our reporters are subjected to persecution. Many of them have received warnings from prosecutor’s offices and the KGB for work in the territory of the Republic of Belarus without accreditation.” 

Radio Racyja stresses that it has repeatedly applied for accreditation but the application was turned down on each occasion. 

“We call on all independent media outlets, pro-democracy parties and organizations and individuals to express solidarity with our detained colleagues,” says the statement, signed by Radio Racyja President Eugeniusz Wappa (Yauheni Vapa).