Continued jailing of journalists in Belarus is unacceptable and appalling, says OSCE Media Freedom Representative

VIENNA, 15 September 2022 — The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today denounced the lengthy prison sentence handed down to investigative journalist Denis Ivashin in Belarus.

According to reports, on 14 September, in a closed-door trial, the Grodno Regional Court sentenced investigative journalist Denis Ivashin to 13 years and 1 month in a high security penal colony on charges of ‘state treason’ and ‘interference in the activities of staff of the internal affairs bodies’. The journalist was also levied with a considerable fine.

“I am appalled by the court’s shocking verdict against Denis Ivashin – yet another blow to the country’s OSCE commitments on free expression and media freedom,” Ribeiro said. “The authorities should drop the charges, release the journalist, and stop prosecuting media workers as a deliberate way of sowing fear and silencing free voices.”

Ivashin, a contributor to Novy Chas newspaper, has been detained since March 2021, reportedly for his investigative articles on law enforcement officials.

On several occasions Ribeiro has called on the Belarusian authorities to release all imprisoned, arrested or detained media workers.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.