Belarus: Former Journalist Larysa Shchyrakova Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison After Closed Trial
Shchyrakova becomes the tenth imprisoned woman journalist in Belarus
Location: Belarus, Homel
Date: December 13, 2022*Updated on August 31, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses its shock and dismay at the sentencing of former Belsat TV reporter Larysa Shchyrakova. She has been unjustly sentenced to 3.5 years on false extremism charges and spreading false information about the state. We strongly condemn this absurd and harsh sentencing and demand her immediate release.
On August 31, 2023, the Gomel Regional Court sentenced Larisa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison and imposed a fine of 3,500 rubles (approximately $1400).
The journalist was initially accused of "discrediting the Republic of Belarus," with additional charges of "facilitating extremist activities" later added.
Shchyrakova’s month-long trial was held behind closed doors, leaving the public in the dark about the evidence presented against her. This lack of transparency raises questions about the fairness and legitimacy of the proceedings.
After raiding her home in Homel, Belarusian authorities detained Shchyrakova on December 6, 2022. As a former journalist for the independent media outlet Belsat TV, Shchyrakova has faced constant threats of arrest, leading her to disengage from journalism in 2021. Throughout her career, she reported on government repression under Alexander Lukashenko and produced documentaries that shed light on the stories of repressed dissidents.
The harassment and detention of Belsat TV employees by Belarusian authorities is not an isolated incident. Shchyrakova has been previously fined, detained, and had her home searched in connection to her reporting for the media outlet. These raids are part of a wider pattern of media repression employed by the Belarusian government.
In September 2022, Shchyrakova posted messages in support of her former Belsat TV colleague Yauhen Merkis, who was detained on charges of facilitating extremist activity and is now a political prisoner. Reports suggest that her detention could have been linked to this.
In October 2020, Shchyrakova was detained preventively to ensure that she could not cover the protest rally against the presidential election results. After three days in detention, on October 12, the court deemed her guilty of being a participant in the protest and fined her. Despite the threats, Shchyrakova decided to remain in Belarus.
Following her withdrawal from journalism in February 2022, Shchyrakova has engaged in ethnic photoshoots, taking pictures of people in Belarusian folk costumes and documenting cultural traditions.
Regrettably, Larysa Shchyrakova is not alone in her plight. Currently, there are 10 women journalists, including Shchyrakova, imprisoned in Belarus. The severe sentences handed to journalists Maryna Zolatava, Lyudmila Chekina, Katsiaryna Andreyeva, and Ksenia Lutskina further exemplify the Belarusian government's relentless crackdown on dissent and independent journalism.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly in solidarity with Larysa Shchyrakova and demands her immediate release. Her imprisonment is deeply troubling, particularly considering her absence from journalistic activities for months before her detention. We condemn the Belarusian authorities’ continuous press crackdown and demand all charges against Shchyrakova be dropped and she is released immediately.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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