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.

Free press is facing extreme challenges in the country. Several women journalists are facing persecution in the form of unjustified detention, arrest and raids at apartments. Tatiana Smotkina, Anastasia Zanko and Alesia Latsinskaya are a few of those affected journalists. It's become a pattern in the country to target critical voices. CFWIJ condemns this ongoing practice against freedom of the press as the state is becoming extremely regressive towards free media and press. We also urge Belarusian authorities to stop abusing their power and let the journalists do their job fearlessly.

A former Tut.By employee and writer, Yulia Chernyavskaya is suffering serious health problems under house arrest. Yulia’s defense is now asking for leniency in her punishment to at least allow her hospital visits. Her counsel is ready to give a personal guarantee that she will not leave her home under any other circumstances. Yulia was put under house arrest more than two months ago.