Belarus authorities have launched yet another criminal investigation against independent news agency Tut.by. This latest case is the continuation of the persistent legal harassment the Coalition For Women In Journalism has observed against the free press and freedom of information in the country. The Investigative Committee of Belarus announced on October 7 that a number of Tut.by staff members are being investigated for inciting public disorder. The CFWIJ is concerned as no specific number nor names of journalists against whom authorities are taking action have been given. We demand law enforcement authorities stop targeting independent voices and stop engaging them in one case after another. This persistent legal harassment is extremely concerning for the free press to thrive in the country.

Massive crackdown against the independent news website Tut.by follows more detentions. Four journalists, two of them women, were detained in Minsk on May 25 and released in the evening. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of press freedom and safety of journalists. We demand Belarusian authorities to release journalists who remain behind bars for more than a week and end the intimidation against Tut.by.

The offices of TUT.BY media and the house of its editor-in-chief Marina Zolotova were raided by the Belarusian state authorities under the guise of tax evasion. The media company's website was also blocked by the time of the raids. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of press freedom and condemns the crackdown against opposed news outlets in the country. We demand the Belarusian officials end these heinous practices aiming to intimidate journalists.