The trial of journalist Volha Radzivonava (Вольга Радзівонава) began on 16 November 2024 at the Minsk (Мінск) City Court, Belarus. Volha faces charges under multiple sections of the Belarusian Criminal Code, including discrediting the Republic of Belarus, inciting racial, national, religious, or social hostility, and insulting the President of Belarus Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (Аляксандр Рыгоравіч Лукашэнка). If convicted, she could face up to six years of restricted freedom or imprisonment.
Radzivonava was arrested on 7 March 2024, and during her detention at the Minsk remand center, she underwent medical evaluation at Navinki hospital in Minsk. Her arrest has had significant personal repercussions, as her mother, aged over 80 and in poor health, requires continuous care.
On 30 October 2024, Radzivonava was officially recognized as a political prisoner by human rights organizations.
The international community continues to monitor Radzivonava’s case closely, raising concerns over the implications for journalistic freedom and human rights in Belarus.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the ongoing trial against journalist Volha Radzivonava in Minsk, where she faces politically motivated charges, including defamation and incitement to discord, with a potential sentence of up to six years. SEEMO expresses its solidarity with Volha, recognizing her courageous journalistic work in a repressive environment. This trial represents a clear attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence independent voices in Belarus. SEEMO calls for her immediate release and urges Belarusian authorities to respect international standards of freedom of expression. SEEMO will closely monitor this case and advocate for justice for Volha Radzivonava.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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