Committee To Protect Journalists Demands The Release Of Intex-Press Management

• 4.03.2026, 14:58

CPJ appealed to the Belarusian authorities.

The international organization "Committee to Protect Journalists" (CPJ) announced that it was shocked by the sentences of the director and editor-in-chief of the regional publication Intex-Press Vladimir Yanukevich and deputy director Andrei Pokolenka.

February 27, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reported about the sentencing of the former heads of the independent publication from Baranavichy. They were detained in December 2024 and accused of "treason against the state." Yanukevich received 14 years in prison, Pokolenko - 12 years. The trial was held in closed mode, so the details of the charges were not disclosed.

"This verdict is aimed at strengthening the atmosphere of intimidation around independent media in the country. The authorities should immediately release Yanukevich, Pokolenko and all imprisoned journalists," said CPJ senior researcher for Europe and Central Asia Anna Braha.

The CPJ said it sent an e-mail to the Investigative Committee of Belarus asking for comment on the case, but received no response.

The Committee to Protect Journalists is an international non-governmental organization headquartered in New York.