Dzmitry Semchanka

Affiliated media: ONT TV channel, Former employee

Incident date: October 24, 2022

Attack type:

• Administrative arrest, remand, pre-trial detention, prison

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Minsk

Additional information:

It became known that a criminal case was brought against the former political observer of the state TV channel ONT, the former head of the presidential media pool Dzmitry Semchanka. This was announced by the General Prosecutor’s Office on its website. The journalist is accused of inciting social hatred and discord (Part 1 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus). «It is established that in 2020-2022, the suspect posted publications aimed at the formation of public hostility and hatred towards law enforcement officers, military personnel, and government representatives in various Telegram channels and chats», — the department said in a statement. Semchanka faces up to five years in prison. Moreover, the prosecutor’s office of the Oktyabrsky district of Minsk sanctioned Semchanka with a measure of detention «taking into account the circumstances of the offense and the character of the suspect».