Free Andrey Kuznechyk
Andrey Kuznechyk: RFE/RL Journalist Imprisoned in Belarus
Andrey Kuznechyk, a web editor for RFE/RL’s Belarus Service, was detained on November 25, 2021, while on a bike ride near his home in Minsk. Four unidentified men accompanied him to his home and seized his equipment. Andrey served two consecutive 10-day administrative sentences for “hooliganism.”
On December 23, 2021, Belarusian authorities opened a criminal case against Andrey on unspecified charges. The charges against Andrey were unknown until May 2022, when it was revealed that he had been charged with “creating or participating in an extremist organization.”
On June 8, 2022, Belarusian authorities sentenced Andrey to six years in prison following a trial that lasted no more than a few hours. He was transferred to the Navapolatsk hard labor colony, a place he had previously described as a “town that seems to be farther than Mars.” In August 2022, the Supreme Court of Belarus denied Andrey’s appeal in a closed-door hearing.
U.S. officials, as well as Belarusian and international human rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Center “Viasna” have recognized Andrey as a political prisoner and called for his release. German Bundestag Member Lars Rohwer serves as an advocate for Andrey Kuznechyk through the “godparenthood” campaign launched by Libereco.
How You Can Support Andrey
- Write postcards in Belarusian or Russian and mail them to Andrey. Andrey is being held at: Penal colony No. 1. 211440, Navapolack, vulica Techničnaya 8, Belarus.
- Submit your messages in English or Belarusian to the Solidarity Postcards Atelier. Volunteers will mail Andrey the handwritten postcards on your behalf.
Journalists in Trouble
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