Svetlana Alexievich
A renowned literary writer, essayist and Belarus's first ever Nobel Prize winner, Alexievich was charged for alleged "appeals to overthrow or change constitutional order of the Republic of Belarus… More
New Report: 16 Writers and Public Intellectuals Jailed in Belarus in 2022, with 33 Writers at Risk for Persecution
“Belarusian culture does not have a place in its own country,” said Polina Sadovskaya, Eurasia and Advocacy Director at PEN America. “In 2022, the jailing of writers and public… More
Siarhei Haranin
A linguist and literary critic, Haranin was arrested after a raid on the National Academy of Science (NAS) for the Belarusian Culture, Language, and Literature in October 2022. He… More
Aliaksandr Novikau
A historian and blogger, Novikau was arrested on June 27, 2022 for publishing articles on his website that aim at revising history. He was convicted and found guilty of… More
Nasta Karnackaja
Nasta Karnackaja is a literary critic and columnist who runs the Telegram channel “Bellit” where she publishes book reviews and commentary. In May 2022, she assisted with the… More
Pavel Vinahradau
Vinahradau is an activist and online commentator who ran a Telegram channel. It was declared extremist and Vinahradau was detained on December 22, 2021. He was charged with incitement… More
Andrey Yanushkevich
Author and publisher Yanushkevich was detained on May 16, 2022 after police raided his home, looking for “extremist materials.” Two hundred copies of George Orwell’s 1984 were confiscated, and… More
Sharp Criticism of Decision Designating Journalists Group in Belarus “Extremist”
The designation underscores the Belarusian authorities’ escalating attacks on independent journalism and free expression since Aleksander Lukashenka’s 2020 reelection, internationally regarded as “fraudulent.” More
PEN Centers Condemn Belarusian Court’s Verdict in Trial of Writer Ales Bialiacki
In response to news that Belarusian writer Ales Bialiacki was convicted to 10 years in prison—coinciding with International Writers for Peace Day—PEN Belarus, PEN Armenia, PEN Moscow, and PEN… More
PEN America Recognizes the Courage and Activism of Nobel Peace Prize Winners in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus
“Living under a government determined to break the will of even its most stalwart critics, Bialiatski has fought for human rights unflinchingly for decades, sacrificing his freedom, safety, and… More
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