A freelance reporter was sentenced to 11 days in prison following his coverage of an unsanctioned protest in Belarus. Aleksandr Borozenko, who was working for Poland-based satellite broadcaster Belsat at the time, was detained on 8 January, along with human rights activist Nikolai Kovalenko. Borozenko was reporting on a one-person vigil which was being staged by Kovalenko. The journalist was arrested by KGB security forces minutes after he began filming the activist’s protest, which took place in front of the KGB headquarters in Minsk. Borozenko reportedly began a hunger strike after hearing the verdict.
NEWS
Support free expression for all
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
READ MORE
-
Just Stop Oil climate protests feel the chill
There is growing pressure on environmental activists in the UK, the second most likely country in the world for protesters to be arrested
-
The week in free expression: 2 – 8 August 2025
Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days
-
From Hong Kong with hate
Someone is carrying out transnational repression of its exiled critics by post
-
The week in free expression: 26 July – 1 August 2025
Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days