Irina Slavnikova, a Belsat TV representative, was illegally detained at Minsk airport as she arrived with her husband from Egypt before being sent to prison for 15 days by court. Under charges of sharing “extremist” content on her social media, the journalist was held in temporary detention at Akrestsin Street in Minsk, along with her husband, and then moved to jail.

Journalist Inessa Studzinskaya, affiliated with Radio Svaboda, was restricted from leaving the country. Inessa discovered the travel ban against her after finding her name on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website. The radio journalist, along with two of her colleagues, was detained on July 26. According to reports, the authorities searched their homes and destroyed the network’s editorial offices in Minsk. CFWIJ condemns the persistent impediments to press freedom in the country. We have repeatedly demanded action to ensure a safe and fair environment for women journalists in Belarus.

Valeria Kostyugova, an independent analyst and editor of the Belarusian Yearbook, is in detention after authorities searched her residence on June 30. The case and charges against Valeria have yet to be confirmed. Her husband was eventually released, but she remains in custody at a detention center on Akrestsin Street. Reportedly, the raid on her apartment was carried out by KGB authorities (State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus). CFWIJ condemns the harassment against the journalist and demands state authorities release her from unwarranted detention. The impediments to the free press in Belarus are alarming. The current government must end its targeting of independent journalists and human rights activists.

Glafira Zhuk, a journalist associated with Narodnaya Volya, was released after 30 days in detention. During her detention, including two days in solitary confinement, she was not allowed to shower and only let outside once. The court convicted Glafira for a social media post she shared while covering a case. Judicial authorities deemed her a participant in the mass protest. Glafira had to spend her 20th birthday in prison at Akrestsin Street. The journalist revealed after her release that the cells were overcrowded and female prisoners were only allowed to walk for 20-30 min. CFWIJ condemns the unjustified detention of Glafira. We are dismayed by the journalism faculty’s expulsion of Glafira following her release.