Alina Kovshik

Affiliated media: Belsat , Editor-in-chief

Incident date: April 9, 2025

Attack type:

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

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Minsk

Additional information:

It has become known that journalist and head of the Belsat television channel, Alina Kovshik, has been entered into the wanted persons database of Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. The reasons for the prosecution have not been disclosed. Being listed in this database means that a Belarusian citizen has been declared wanted in connection with the initiation of a criminal case. In such cases, criminal proceedings are usually initiated by the Belarusian authorities, and at their request the Russian side adds individuals to its database. Kovshik worked for many years at Belsat as a lead presenter, editor, and television producer. In 2024, after a two-year break, she returned to the channel as editor-in-chief. It is known that in December 2024 a Belarusian court designated her Instagram page as extremist informational material. The independent television channel Belsat was designated an extremist organisation by the Belarusian authorities in 2021.