22.08.2024 – New Charges Increase Pressure on Azerbaijani Journalists from Abzas Media

In Azerbaijan the legal pressure on journalists from the independent investigative outlet Abzas Media (https://abzas.org/) continues to intensify. Abzas Media is an independent media outlet in Azerbaijan, founded in 2016 It is focused on news and investigative reporting.

On 19 August 2024, four journalists, general manager and co-founder Ulvi Hasanli (Ülvi Həsənli,) editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi (Sevinc Vaqifqızı), reporter Elnara Gasimova (Elnarə Qasımova), and investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly (Hafiz Babalı) were hit with new charges. These charges carry potential prison sentences of up to 12 years, increasing the maximum penalty from the previous 8 years.

Earlier, charges were brought against Deputy Director Mahammad Kekalov (Məhəmməd Kəkalov), journalist Nargiz Absalamova (Nərgiz Absalamova), and economist Farid Mehralizadeh (Nərgiz Absalamova), who is unrelated to Abzas Media. Absalamova was detained multiple times while covering demonstrations in her country.

The new charges include “currency smuggling by an organized group,” “forgery and use of forged documents,” “illegal entrepreneurship resulting in large-scale income,” “money laundering by an organized group,” and “group tax evasion,” according to their lawyers. The journalists refused to sign the indictments, maintaining their innocence and alleging that they are being persecuted for their work uncovering corruption among high-ranking officials.

The investigation into Abzas Media began in November 2023 when police arrested several members of company. During a search of the outlet’s office, authorities claimed to have discovered 40,000 EUR, which led to charges of currency smuggling. Additional arrests followed.

While the charges initially focused on currency smuggling, authorities have now expanded the case to include a broader array of economic crimes.

The journalists have denied all accusations, insisting that they are being targeted for their investigative reporting, which has exposed corruption at the highest levels of the Azerbaijani government. International media freedom organizations have called on Azerbaijani authorities to drop the charges and release the journalists, highlighting concerns about the continued suppression of independent media in the country.

Human rights defenders and international observers have recognized those arrested in the Abzas Media case as political prisoners, further emphasizing the need for the immediate release of these journalists and the cessation of legal harassment against independent media outlets in Azerbaijan. Despite the escalating legal threats, Abzas Media’s journalists remain resolute in their commitment to exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is alarmed about the legal cases and will be closely monitoring the ongoing case against Abzas Media journalists in Azerbaijan. SEEMO calls on Azerbaijani authorities to respect press freedom and ensure that journalists can carry out their duties without fear of persecution.

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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #azerbaijan #abzasmedia #UlviHasanli #SevinjVagifgizi #ElnaraGasimova #HafizBabaly #journalistarrested #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 14 August 2024, during a press conference, a high level police representative launched accusations on journalists over their reporting on a tragic death in Pogradec, Albania. The media in Albania raised concerns made by the family of the killed, regarding delays in the arrival of the medicine help and the police reaction and suggested that the investigation may have been incomplete.

In Pogradec a man died after a physical altercation outside a bar. The suspect was arrested by the police for “deliberate murder”. The local police also detained three other individuals for failing to report the crime and obstructing the investigation. The case is under further legal review by the Prosecutor’s Office in Korçë, Albania.

A high level police representative allegedly was accusing journalists of spreading “fabrications and vile accusations against the police.” He further characterized the media’s reports as “deliberate disinformation” and announced that the police would take legal action to ensure transparency and address what he described as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation about their role in the incident.

The police comments have sparked concern, particularly the part that only the official police version of events should be trusted. This statement challenges the fundamental role of journalists in verifying information from diverse sources and threatens the independence of media reporting.

Criminalizing journalistic reporting contradicts constitutional guarantees of free speech and media freedom, potentially leading to self-censorship and a weakened independent press. It is crucial for the authorities to retract threats against journalists and halt any attempts to intimidate those who are simply fulfilling their duty to report on issues of public interest. Respect for journalists’ role in verifying information and informing the public independently is vital to ensuring a free and open media landscape. Any alleged disinformation by media should be addressed through appropriate legal processes in line with international standards.

Connected to the case reacted also Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama on the same day, 14 August 2024, who published a statement over the platform X (former Twitter) on his official account @ediramaal. Rama presented details he had from this case: “In fact, all the documented evidence, either of the police operation or of the electronic system of the National Emergency, show that the Police arrested the responsible person in record time for “Deliberate murder” and the Emergency responded to the call for help in 7 minutes!”

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will monitor the case and developments closely.

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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #albania #journalistattacked #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 8 August 2024 Russian authorities began widespread slowdowns of YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/), making the platform nearly inaccessible without the use of additional virtual private networks (VPNs). This move, part of a broader government crackdown on independent media, has raised additional serious concerns about censorship in the country.

According to several YouTube Russian users also the browser version of YouTube does not open on desktop PCs in Russia. The YouTube mobile application on Android continues to work.

This action follows an announcement in late July, where Russian officials revealed plans to significantly reduce YouTube’s performance, with speeds expected to drop by up to 70%. According to some local sources the new speed is 128 kilobits per second. As result users have informed that videos freeze up for several seconds or that they can use only audio versions over YouTube, but not videos.

Russian operator Rostelecom informed about technical issues in the operation of equipment owned by Google. Rostelecom said, that Google was to be blamed for technical problems, as it was not renovating its equipment in Russia,

The stated goal was to pressure YouTube into reinstating blocked Russian propaganda channels. Critics, however, view this as a deliberate attempt to push users toward platforms like RuTube and VKontakte, further tightening the government’s grip on the flow of information.

Head of the State Duma’s Information Policy Committee (Государственная Дума), allegedly defended the decision as a necessary measure against what he described as “YouTube’s foreign management” that allegedly violated Russian laws. The day after the announcement, Russian authorities attributed the slowdown to outdated Google (https://www.google.com/) equipment—a claim that Google has denied.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian authorities have blocked numerous independent media outlets, imposed fines on companies for not removing content labeled as “fake news” about the war, and pressured Google to restore state media channels on YouTube. Despite these efforts, YouTube has remained accessible, serving as a platform for opposition voices and independent journalism.

The recent slowdown of YouTube has sparked widespread public discontent, with many viewing it as a deliberate government strategy to control online content. The Digital Rights Center (Центр цифровых прав – https://drc.law/) has raised alarms, warning that this move forces content creators to shift to Russian-controlled platforms, where their work is subject to stricter censorship. This shift could result in the deletion of videos or even entire channels, leaving content creators vulnerable to government moderation.

YouTube has stated that the access issues in Russia are not due to any actions or technical problems on their end. The company acknowledged reports of people struggling to access the platform in Russia.

Russian officials are supporting the public in Russia to use Rutube, a Russian video platform founded 2006 and owned by the state controlled Gazprom Media. In August 2024, Rutube launched a function for transferring videos from YouTube. According to Rutube an author can transfer up to 2,000 videos at once.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the Russian government’s deliberate slowdown of YouTube as a blatant act of censorship, undermining the free flow of information and silencing independent voices. The restriction of access to one of the few remaining platforms for free expression in Russia is a serious violation of press freedom and a concerning step toward further isolating the Russian public from global discourse. SEEMO will closely monitor this situation and continue to advocate for the protection of journalistic freedom and the rights of individuals to access uncensored information.

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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #russia #youtube #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Russian authorities have recently issued threats to prosecute two Italian media workers for their coverage of the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk (Курск) region in Russia. Journalist Stefania Battistini and cameraman Simone Traini, who work for Italy’s national broadcaster Radiotelevisione italiana (RAI – https://www.rai.it/) for the news section TG1, were reportedly targeted after they reported on Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian town Sudzha (Суджа), administrative center of Sudzhansky District in Kursk Oblast, Russia.

On 16 August 2024, the Russian Foreign Ministry call for the presence the Italian ambassador in Russia Cecilia Piccioni, allegedly accusing the RAI news team of illegally crossing the border into Kursk Oblast. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) initiated criminal charges against the journalists under Article 322 of the Russian Federation’s Criminal Code, which pertains to the illegal crossing of state borders.

“The agency is also carrying out a legal assessment of the materials published in mass media, which prove the presence of [CNN] foreign reporter Nick Paton Walsh in the ‘Sudzha’ Russian border checkpoint, and a procedure decision will be made after the analysis is complete,” the FSB added in an official statement. The CNN report is online: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/16/europe/sudzha-russia-ukraine-streets-intl-latam/index.html. Nick Paton Walsh is a Emmy Award-winning Chief International Security Correspondent for CNN. CNN published a report with additional clear information that CNN was accompanied by the Ukrainian military who reviewed the video without sound prior to its release for operational security reasons. The Ukrainian military had no editorial control.

RAI brodcasted a report on 14 August 2024, showing the journalists drive into the Kursk region.

In light of these threats, RAI’s Managment announced that Battistini and Traini would temporarily return to Italy to ensure their safety. The Italian Foreign Ministry defended the journalists, emphasizing that they had operated independently and adhered to international law while covering the situation in Kursk Oblast. Both RAI and Italian press unions have strongly condemned the possibility of criminal charges, asserting that “journalism is not a crime” and that journalistic activities should not require prior authorization from the authorities.

Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini returned to Italy on Sunday 19 August 2024. Their courageous reporting has shed light on critical developments in the region, but their work has also made them targets of intimidation by the Russian government. This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists covering conflicts and the importance of safeguarding press freedom in the face of such threats.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the Russian authorities’ threats to prosecute Italian journalist Stefania Battistini (@StefaniaBattis4) and cameraman Simone Traini for their courageous reporting on the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, as also possible Russian steps against CNN reporter Nick Paton Walsh. These actions represent a clear attempt to stifle independent journalism and suppress the truth. SEEMO stands in solidarity with these journalists and will closely monitor the situation, urging the international community to ensure their safety and uphold the fundamental right to press freedom. The authorities in Russia must accept that free movement of journalists in a war is the basic of war reporting.

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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #russia #italy #RAI #StefaniaBattistin #SimoneTraini #journalistattacked #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 11 August 2034 during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić allegedly criticized media from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Kosovo, as also Serbia. The conference was held in response to a series of protests against the Serbian government’s decision to resume lithium ore mining in Serbia. This controversial project had been halted by state authorities in 2022 following public opposition. However, a government decree on 16 July 2024, announced the revival of the project, sparking a new wave of protests, including large-scale demonstrations in Belgrade on 10 August 2024, where two railway stations were blocked.

During the press conference, Vučić allegedly criticized several media outlets, including Oslobođenje daily (https://www.oslobodjenje.ba/) from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jutarnji list daily (https://www.jutarnji.hr/) from Zagreb, Croatia, Dnevno.hr (https://www.dnevno.hr/) from Zagreb, Croatia, as well as the magazine Slobodna Bosna (https://www.slobodna-bosna.ba/) from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He allegedly accused these media outlets of being biased in their coverage of the protests, particularly in how they portrayed the environmental and political implications of the government’s decision. Vučić insinuated that these outlets were deliberately trying to destabilize Serbia.

The video from the press conference is online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zCX61swMPA .

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the targeting and criticizing media outlets during the recent press conference. The role of journalists is to serve as the voice of the people, reporting objectively and critically on matters of public interest, including government actions. Such attempts to intimidate and discredit the press undermine the essential function of the media in a democratic society.

The 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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #serbia #bosniaandherzegovina #croatia #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Belarusian journalist and activist Andrej Gnjot (Андрэй Гнёт), who is currently under house arrest by the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, while awaiting a decision on his extradition to Belarus, announced that Interpol has removed him from its wanted list.

On 25 June 2024, Interpol’s General Secretariat informed European Union (EU) representatives in Serbia that the red notice against him was canceled, and the associated data was deleted due to violations of Articles 2 and 3 of Interpol’s Constitution.

According to Interpol a Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. It is based on an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the requesting country. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

Red Notices are published by INTERPOL at the request of a member country, and must comply with INTERPOL’s Constitution and Rules.

Despite this development, Gnjot remains under house arrest as the extradition process to Belarus is still ongoing. Although EU representatives reportedly informed the Serbian government and judiciary about the cancellation of the red notice, it has not led to his release.

The red notice was originally issued at the request of Belarus, which accuses Gnjot of alleged tax evasion. However, Gnjot has consistently denied these charges, calling them politically motivated.

Gnjot was arrested in October 2023 at Belgrade airport after arriving from Thailand, where he had been living in exile. Gnjot fled Belarus for Thailand in 2020 after criticizing the regime and participating in protests following the presidential election. He spent seven months in Belgrade’s Central Prison before being transferred to house arrest on 5 June 2024.

The Higher Court in Belgrade, Serbia, has issued a ruling approving his extradition to Belarus, although the decision is not yet final. The appeals court in Belgrade, as last possibility to stop his extradition, has scheduled a hearing on his case for 27 August 2024. The hearing will be public and open. SEEMO plans to send a representative to the hearing.

You can read the previous SEEMO information about this case here: https://seemo.org/ressources/29-june-2024-urgent-appeal-to-serbian-authorities-to-protect-andrey-gnyot-from-extradition-to-belarus/

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the continued house arrest of Belarusian journalist and activist Andrej Gnjot, despite Interpol’s cancellation of the red notice against him due to its politically motivated nature. Seemo urges the Serbian authorities to immediately release Gnjot from house arrest, as his detention contradicts international human rights standards and undermines press freedom.

The 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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #serbia #belarus #andrejgnjot #journalistarrested #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 8 August 2024 according to KoSSev (https://kossev.info/) portal, several doctored images emerged on social media platforms featuring the faces of certain Albanian journalists from Kosovo and prominent Kosovan leaders. These images are accompanied by fabricated messages containing threatening content, including references to murder, with the logo of the KoSSev portal falsely added.

The Kosovo Journalists Association (Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Kosovës – AJK – AGK – https://www.agk-ks.org/) reported this alarming incident, revealing that the manipulated images falsely implicate media outlets from North Mitrovica (Mitrovica e Veriut / Severna Kosovska Mitrovica) particularly KoSSev, and are aimed at Albanian journalists. AGK is currently gathering more details from the networks about this cyber crime case.

Both KoSSev and AGK have decided not to publish these manipulated images due to their highly disturbing nature. The Kossev information about this case is online: https://kossev.info/kossev-portal-and-several-pristina-journalists-targeted-by-disturbing-photoshopped-images/

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns this cyber crime case and the recent circulation of manipulated images targeting Albanian journalists and Kosovan leaders on social media, which include fabricated and threatening messages. This malicious campaign not only endangers the safety and integrity of the journalists involved but also undermines the principles of free and independent media. SEEMO urges the Kosovo authorities, including the cybercrime unit, to take immediate and decisive action to identify those responsible and prevent further dissemination of these harmful materials. The safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom must be upheld at all costs.

The 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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #kosovo #kossev #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 31 July 2024 allegedly law enforcement officers, conducted a search of journalist Simone Innocenti’s residence and the newsroom of media outlet Corriere Fiorentino (https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/), local edition of Corriere della Sera (https://www.corriere.it/), where he works at, allegedly seizing computer and a mobile phone. This action was part of an investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Florence (Firenze), Italy, where Innocenti is accused of aiding public officials in the “revelation and use of official secrets.” The investigation centers around an article published on 17 May 2024 which discussed the potential reasons behind the suicide of a student – carabiniere.

On the day of the raid, Innocenti’s residence was searched alongside the Corriere Fiorentino newsroom, where allegedly forensic copies of the journalist’s digital devices were obtained. The investigation is reportedly focused on uncovering leaks related to the tragic suicide of the student – carabiniere. In response, the editorial committee of Corriere della Sera criticized the invasive search and the intimidating behavior of the police, stressing that the confidentiality of journalistic sources is a fundamental principle of the profession.

You can read the published article in the online edition of the newspaper.

La Federazione nazionale della stampa – the National Federation of the Italian Press (FNSI) and l’Associazione stampa Toscana – Press Association of Tuscany (AST), in a note, “condemn in no uncertain terms the raid which took place at the headquarters of the Corriere Fiorentino by a magistrate and five policemen who seized the cell phone and computer of the reporter Simone Innocenti whose home was also searched”.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will be closely monitoring the ongoing investigation involving journalist Simone Innocenti and the recent search of his home and the newsroom of Corriere Fiorentino.

The 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.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #italy #SimoneInnocenti #CorriereFiorentino #SEEMO #journalistarrested #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Belarusian journalists Ales Sabaleuski (Алесь Сабалеўскі) and Yauhen Hlushkou (Яўген Глушкоў), both working in Mahilyow /Mahilou / Mogilev (Магілёў) in Belarus, were sentenced to prison on 31 July 2024, after being arrested in December 2023. The Regional Court in Mahiliou found them guilty of participating in what the authorities labeled as an “extremist formation” and, for unclear reasons, accused them of involvement with a mercenary group.

Sabaleuski received a four-year sentence in a penal colony, while Hlushkou was sentenced to three years in a general security penal colony. Additionally, both were fined 8,000 BYN (approximately 2450 USD).

The charges against the journalists are believed to be linked to their previous associations with the now-defunct independent news outlet 6tv.by, which the Belarusian government designated as an extremist organization in December 2023.

According to reports from the Belarusian Association of Journalists (Беларуская асацыяцыя журналістаў – BAJ – БАЖ – https://baj.media/be/), Sabaleuski, a former blogger and journalist, had retired from the media and was working in the service industry at the time of his arrest. Hlushkou, a freelance videographer, had not been active in media for several years before his detention.

Sabaleuski was initially sentenced to a short-term arrest of 10 days in December 2023, and while serving this sentence, he was subjected to a second arrest on charges of “disseminating extremist materials.” Despite the completion of this second sentence, he was not released and was instead transferred to a pre-trial detention center. Reports indicate that Sabaleuski was tortured during his interrogation to extract a confession regarding his involvement with 6tv.by.

Hlushkou was arrested in January 2024 and was similarly transferred to a pre-trial detention center. The details of his case emerged through a video of his forced confession, which was circulated by a pro-government Telegram channel. In the video, Hlushkou admitted to having worked with 6tv.by, although he had not engaged in any media activities in recent years.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent sentencing of Belarusian journalists Ales Sabaleuski and Yauhen Hlushkou, who were unjustly imprisoned on politically motivated charges. This blatant attack on press freedom exemplifies the Belarusian authorities’ relentless repression of independent journalism and civil society. SEEMO calls for the immediate release of Sabaleuski, Hlushkou, and all other journalists unjustly detained in Belarus, and urges the international community to take a firm stand against these ongoing human rights violations.

The 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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