Zmitser Lupach

Affiliated media: Belsat TV channel, Freelance journalist

Incident date: July 8, 2021

Attack type:

• Forced emigration as a result of legal / economic pressure

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Hlybokaye

Additional information:

The law enforcers detained the journalist at the sanatorium where he was on holiday. They took him home, confiscated his smartphone, after which Lupach was placed in a temporary detention center. The reason for the detention was a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord) for a video clip posted on the Internet by unknown persons. The journalist was released three days later in the status of a suspect. Zmitser Lupach soon left the country for fear of further persecution.