On March 22, the Minsk City Court sentenced independent journalist Ihar Karney to 3 years in prison and a huge fine.

According to the reports of the Belarusian propaganda media, Ihar Karney was convicted precisely for cooperation with the Belarusian Association of Journalists, accusing him of "participation in extremist formation", the statement noted.

BAJ strongly condemns the sentence of Ihar Karney and demands the immediate release and review of the court decision of Ihar and other 33 representatives of the media who are behind bars today.

  • In the Minsk City Court, judge

    Siarhei Katsar

    sentenced Karnei to 3 years of imprisonment in a general regime colony and a fine of 20,000 rubles.

    Karney was accused of "participation in extremist formation" according to Part 3 of Art.

    361-1 of the Criminal Code.

  • The newspaper of the Lukashenka administration "Belarus Segodnya" previously reported that Igor Karney was tried for cooperation with the Belarusian Association of Journalists, which the authorities recognized as an extremist organization.

Igor Karney in court

  • Ihar Karney is a former correspondent of Radio Svaboda, who covered life and events in Belarus on our radio waves and website for more than 20 years.

    Among other things, Igor is known as an author of texts about the cultural and historical heritage of Belarus and a travel blogger.

Persecution of Igor Karney

Journalist

Igor Karney

was detained on the morning of July 17, 2023, after a search of his apartment.

Initially, Igor was placed under administrative arrest, but after the arrest, Igor was not released.

Ihar Karney was transferred from Minsk prison to Akrestyn to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Minsk as part of a criminal case.

He was recognized as a police prisoner.