Belarus Releases Jailed Journalist in Rare Wave of Pardons Amid Ongoing Crackdown

Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva has been released after serving more than five years in prison, as part of a broader wave of pardons that has drawn cautious optimism from press freedom organizations while highlighting the country’s continued repression of independent media.

Andreyeva, a journalist with the Poland-based Belsat TV channel, was originally arrested in November 2020 while livestreaming anti-government protests in Minsk. She was first sentenced to two years in prison on charges related to organizing unrest, before receiving an additional eight-year sentence in 2022 on treason charges widely condemned by rights groups as politically motivated.

Her release in March 2026 comes after serving over five years behind bars, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) confirming that she had been imprisoned in connection with her reporting. Press freedom advocates have long argued that her prosecution was part of a broader campaign to silence journalists following the disputed 2020 presidential election and subsequent mass protests.

Andreyeva is among a larger group of political prisoners recently pardoned by Belarusian authorities. Reports indicate that hundreds of detainees, including journalists and activists, were freed in what has been described as one of the largest releases in recent years. The move has been linked to diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions with Western countries, including discussions around sanctions relief.

International organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), welcomed the releases but stressed that they do not signal a broader improvement in press freedom conditions. Advocacy groups noted that many journalists remain imprisoned, and that Belarus continues to rank among the worst countries in Europe for media freedom.

The case of Andreyeva has become emblematic of the risks faced by journalists in Belarus, where authorities have used charges such as extremism and treason to prosecute reporters and suppress dissent. Media outlets have been shut down or forced into exile, while journalists face surveillance, harassment, and long prison sentences.

While Andreyeva’s release marks a significant development, press freedom groups emphasize that systemic issues persist. They continue to call for the unconditional release of all detained journalists and for reforms that would allow independent media to operate freely.

As Belarus attempts to recalibrate its international relations, the treatment of journalists remains a critical test of its commitment to fundamental rights and freedoms.

Reference –

Belarus released 250 political prisoners including journalist Katsiaryna Andreeva

https://rsf.org/en/belarus-six-journalists-pardoned-historic-wave-releases

Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva released after serving over 5 years in prison