Convicted journalists Yauhen Hlushkou and Ales Sabaleuski added to list of “extremists” by Interior Ministry
On October 11, information about Mahiliou journalists Yauhen Hlushkou and Ales Sabaleuski, who were sentenced to imprisonment, appeared in the list of citizens “involved in extremist activities” compiled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus. According to the document, they were acquitted of the charge of participation in an armed formation. It is noted that both journalists are already serving their sentences.
On July 31 this year, the Mahiliou Regional Court found Yauhen Hlushkou and Ales (Aliaksandr) Sabaleuski guilty of participation in an extremist formation and participation in an armed formation or armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state, military actions, recruitment, or preparation for such participation.
The case was reviewed by Judge Dzmitry Krenzhyjeuski, who imposed a four-year prison sentence on Ales Sabaleuski and a three-year sentence on Yauhen Hlushkou. Additionally, both individuals were subject to substantial financial penalties, amounting to $2,450 each.
The journalists filed an appeal that was considered by the Supreme Court on September 27. It is unclear whether the sentences and fine amount were modified as a result of the trial, but the list of individuals “involved in committing extremist crimes” no longer includes the charge of participation in an armed conflict.
The October 11 version of this document states that Ales Sabaleuski was found guilty of creating and participating in an extremist formation, and Yauhen Hlushkou was found to have participated in such a formation.
Journalist and blogger Ales Sabaleuski was detained on December 12, 2023. Sabaleuski was initially sentenced to two periods of administrative detention. In early January 2024, he was prosecuted and transferred to a remand center. Individuals who shared a cell with Sabaleuski in the temporary detention center have reported that the journalist had been beaten during interrogation. As a result, Sabaleuski’s body exhibited indications of torture. He was compelled to provide a confession that he had collaborated with the editorial staff of 6tv.by, a media entity that had been designated as an «extremist formation» on November 29 of the previous year.
Yauhen Hlushkou, a freelance videographer, was taken into custody in early January 2024. Following his arrest, Hlushkou was initially held in a temporary detention center and then transferred to a remand center. The police filmed a video with him, which was then broadcast by a Telegram channel linked to Mahiliou police. In the video, the detainee states that he has been cooperating with the online resource 6tv.by since 2017.
Before their arrest, neither Ales Sabaleuski nor Yauhen Hlushkou had been engaged in journalism for several years. Sabaleuski was employed as the director of a consumer services enterprise, while Hlushkou was unemployed.
The Belarusian human rights community recognized Ales Sabaleuski and Yauhen Hlushkou as political prisoners.