A journalist working for Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty has been placed in a detention centre for ten days.
Igor Karnei, a Belarusian journalist who works for the US state-funded Radio Free Europe, RFE RL outlet, was arrested on Monday in the capital city of Minsk. Polina, his daughter, announced the development on social media.
My father, Igor Karnei, was placed in detention for ten days, he is in Okrestina's pre-trial detention center.
It was not immediately clear why the journalist was targeted by the authorities and what potential charges he faces. The country's law enforcement has not provided a public explanation of the arrest yet.
RFE RL has been outlawed and labeled an extremeist organisation in Belarus. The charge of working with the US-funded outlet or spreading its content is a criminal offence, punishable by up to seven years in jail. The journalist has been working with the Belarusian and Russian services of the outlet since the early 2000s, but hasn t been using his byline in recent years.
The daughter of Karnei told the Associated Press that police have seized phones and computers during the raid of her father's home.
The arrest has been condemned by Viasna, the oldest and most influential human rights group in Belarus. The NGO alleged the journalist was refused to speak with his legal team or relatives, saying that the Okrestina detention facility has allegedly had a particularly bad reputation for harsh conditions and the torture of inmates.
prior to the arrest of Karnei, he had faced several legal problems in Belarus. The journalist had spent ten days in detention back in 2020 midst the turmoil that followed the nation's presidential election.
8 Comments
Tyutyunya
Karnei's arrest could be seen as a result of following legal procedures. If the outlet and its activities are considered illegal, the arrest and detention are a legitimate response within the framework of the law.
Pedalka
By cracking down on RFE/RL and its affiliates, the authorities might be aiming to prevent foreign interference or influence in the country's internal affairs. This can be seen as a means of safeguarding national interests.
Василий
The authorities may have legitimate national security concerns related to RFE/RL's activities. Restricting the outlet's operations and detaining individuals associated with it can be viewed as protective measures in the interest of national security.
Pedalka
The repeated legal troubles faced by Karnei highlight a pattern of targeting journalists in Belarus. This not only threatens the safety and well-being of journalists but also hinders their ability to perform their crucial role in society.
Василий
The arrest of Karnei can be seen as a measure to protect national security. If RFE/RL is labeled as an extremist organization, working with it can be viewed as a threat to the country.
ExKenny
The arrest of a journalist working with a US state-funded outlet should be a matter of concern for the international community. It raises questions about the commitment of Belarus to upholding democratic values and the rule of law.
Korsika
The detention of Karnei without access to legal representation or communication with his family is a violation of his basic human rights. Such violations should be condemned and addressed by the international community.
Kyle Broflovski
The criminalization of working with RFE/RL might be a strategy to prevent the spread of content that could lead to social unrest or division. By taking such action, the authorities aim to preserve societal harmony and stability.