Belarusian authorities have once again intensified their crackdown on dissent by arresting a prominent journalist affiliated with the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), ABC News reported.
Ihar Karnei, a 55-year-old journalist, was taken into custody on July 17 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The Belarusian Association of Journalists reported that Karnei's apartment was raided, and his personal devices were confiscated by the police during the operation. The arrest has raised concerns about the deteriorating state of press freedom and human rights in the country.
The reason behind Karnei's arrest and the subsequent search remains unclear, as the authorities have not provided any explanation. However, Belarus has labeled RFE/RL as an extremist organization, and any affiliation or dissemination of its content is considered a criminal offense punishable by up to seven years in prison. Although Karnei has been associated with RFE/RL's Belarusian and Russian services since 2000, he has refrained from using his byline in recent years.
Following his arrest, Karnei was reportedly transferred to the Akrestina pretrial detention center, notorious for its harsh conditions and allegations of torture. Viasna, Belarus' oldest and most prominent human rights group, has raised concerns about Karnei's welfare, stating that neither his lawyers nor family members have been granted access to him.
Belarus has witnessed a significant escalation in the repression of journalists and activists since the disputed presidential election held in August 2020, which resulted in president Alexander Lukashenko securing a sixth term in office. The opposition and Western nations denounced the election as fraudulent, triggering widespread protests across Belarus, some of which drew over 100,000 participants.
In response to the demonstrations, Belarusian authorities launched a brutal crackdown, resulting in the arrest of more than 35,000 people. Reports of police brutality and mistreatment of detainees emerged, with numerous individuals subjected to physical abuse while in custody. Additionally, several independent media outlets and non-governmental organizations were forcibly shut down.
With the arrest of Ihar Karnei, the number of journalists currently imprisoned in Belarus has reached 36. Karnei had previously been detained multiple times while covering the protests but chose to remain in Belarus despite the ongoing crackdown.
Human rights organizations, including Viasna, continue to condemn the Belarusian authorities for their oppressive tactics. In a recent statement, Viasna highlighted the relentless pattern of arrests, searches, and torture in detention centers, further emphasizing the pressure faced by political prisoners and the increasing designation of independent news outlets as extremists.
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