Andrei Fralou

Affiliated media: Freelance videographer

Incident date: May 7, 2021

Attack type:

• Non-fatal attack / beating / injury / torture

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Lida

Additional information:

The law enforcers detained Fralou at the exit from Byarozauka, took him to the Lida District Police Department, confiscated a flash card from the video camera, and drew up two administrative reports: under Part 3 of Article 23.5 (illegal production or distribution of media products) and Article 24.3 (disobedience to a lawful order or demand of an official) of the Code of Administrative Offences. He was kept in an isolation centre until the trial. His car was sent to an impound lot. Fralou was tried on May 7 in the Lida District Court. The judge declared the journalist guilty under both articles and imposed a fine of 30 base amounts and 15 days of arrest. The journalist called the conditions of his arrest torture. Only his clothes were given to him, the rest, according to the officers, was «not supposed to be given». The journalist slept on a mattress without bed linen, he was not allowed to sit on the bunks during the day, and loud music was constantly playing in the cell.