Aleh Hruzdzilovich

Affiliated media: Radio Svaboda, Journalist

Incident date: July 16, 2021

Attack type:

• Criminal/administrative prosecution excluding (1), (2) and (3)

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Minsk

Additional information:

Nine law enforcers came to the journalist’s apartment to conduct a search. Hruzdzilovich’s wife told about the consequences: «His and my phones, all computers and laptops were taken away. They also took all the money from my pocket, even Belarusian rubles. And another USD 300 that was left for me to live on». It was written in the search permi that Hruzdzilovich was a suspect under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organisation and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order or active participation in them). After the search, the journalist was taken away in handcuffs and held in the detention center on Akrestsina for 7 days. The conditions of detention were humiliating: no mattresses or bed sheets were given, everyone slept on bare boards, and a plastic water bottle was used instead of a pillow. The lights were switched on 24 hours a day. No parcels were given, no showers were allowe. At 2 and 4 AM, there were checks: guards would take roll call and keep people awake.