Belarus: Journalist Andrei Kuznechyk Released After Over Three Years of Political Imprisonment

January 14, 2025 – Belarus – 

Belarusian journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, a contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was released in early 2025 after spending more than three years behind bars in what human rights organizations have widely condemned as a politically motivated imprisonment. Kuznechyk had been arrested on November 25, 2021, near his home in Minsk while out cycling. Initially sentenced to short administrative detention for “hooliganism,” his case escalated when Belarusian authorities charged him with “participation in an extremist group,” a vague accusation often used to silence dissent.

In June 2022, Kuznechyk was sentenced to six years in a high-security prison following a closed-door trial lacking transparency and due process. His case drew strong condemnation from the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), Viasna Human Rights Centre, CPJ, and RFE/RL, all of which declared him a political prisoner. These organizations repeatedly called for his immediate release, citing his case as an example of the Lukashenko regime’s systematic crackdown on press freedom.

Throughout his detention, Kuznechyk’s family and legal team were often denied access, and his health and well-being remained a serious concern. His unexpected release in early February 2025 came as a surprise and was welcomed by press freedom advocates. He was reportedly transferred directly to Vilnius, Lithuania, where he reunited with his wife and children. The release also included another Belarusian activist and an unnamed U.S. citizen, suggesting potential diplomatic negotiations played a role.

Following his release, Kuznechyk expressed relief and gratitude but also issued a renewed call for solidarity with the dozens of journalists still imprisoned in Belarus. He emphasized the importance of continued international pressure to confront authoritarian regimes that suppress free expression.

While the release of Andrei Kuznechyk is a positive development, it highlights the broader crisis for media freedom in Belarus. His case exemplifies how independent journalism is criminalized under repressive regimes. The international community must maintain its focus on the remaining jailed journalists and continue to defend the right to report without fear.

Reference –

BT featured the politically imprisoned journalist from «Radio Svaboda» Andrei Kuznechyk