Belarusian Journalist Larysa Shchyrakova Receives 3.5-Year Prison Sentence for Coverage of Protests
Belarusian journalist Larysa Shchyrakova has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison by a court in Homel, Belarus. The ruling comes as a result of allegations that she discredited the country and facilitated extremism through her reporting on the nationwide protests that took place in 2020. This decision has been condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), who urge Belarusian authorities to release Shchyrakova alongside other imprisoned journalists.
Various charges were brought against Shchyrakova, including the accusation of disseminating false information online from August 2020 to December 2022, with the intention of destabilizing Belarus. Furthermore, she was accused of collecting and transmitting information to the banned human rights group Viasna and the Poland-based independent broadcaster Belsat TV. The trial, which took place behind closed doors, concluded on August 31, and she has decided not to appeal the sentence.
Shchyrakova, who had worked as a freelance journalist since 2007, announced her departure from journalism in February 2022 due to ongoing government harassment and detentions. Prior to her recent sentencing, she had already faced fines, imprisonment, and home searches related to her work with Belsat TV.
Belarus is known for its harsh treatment of journalists, and at the time of CPJ’s most recent prison census in December 2022, it was listed as the world’s fifth worst jailer of journalists, with 26 journalists behind bars.
The sentencing of Larysa Shchyrakova has sparked outrage among international media organizations and advocates for press freedom. They argue that the Belarusian authorities’ actions demonstrate a retaliatory approach towards independent reporting on the protests that shook the country two years ago.
As the case continues to draw attention, it remains to be seen whether there will be any reconsideration of the charges against Shchyrakova and the release of other imprisoned journalists. Supporters of press freedom around the world are closely monitoring the situation and calling for justice.
In light of this development, it is evident that the struggle for press freedom in Belarus persists, and international pressure and condemnation will be crucial in ensuring the protection of journalists and their ability to report independently. The case of Larysa Shchyrakova serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in countries where press freedom is under threat.
