OSCE representative condemns arrest of Barazenka

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, condemned the arrest of independent Belarusian journalist Alyaksandr Barazenka.

“Government should allow journalists to cover any political event, whether officially sanctioned or not, for the sake of society’s right to know,” she said.

Alyaksandr Barazenka was detained on January 8 near the KGB headquarters in Minsk while filming Mikita Kavalenka, a European Belarus activist who attempted to hold a one-man picket. Barazenka was sentenced to 11 days in custody over article 23.23 of the Code of Administrative Offences of Belarus (violation of the rules of holding mass events or holding a mass events or a picket). Barazenka went on hunger strike after the judgement was delivered, AFN news agency reports.