Alena Shabunya

Affiliated media: Freelance journalist

Incident date: February 16, 2024

Attack type:

• Court trial

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Vitsebsk

Additional information:

The Pervomaisky District Court of Vitsebsk fined journalist Alena Shabunya BYN 2,800 (80 base amounts) under two articles of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus. Based on the police reports, judge Alena Zhuk found the journalist guilty of distributing extremist materials (Part 2 of Article 19.11) and illegal picketing (Part 1 of Article 24.23). The hearing was held in the absence of the accused, as Alena Shabunya had to leave the country several years ago due to persecution for her professional activities.