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Statement on the International Women’s Day

LONDON, 8 MARCH 2024 – Today, on the International Women’s Day, the Justice for Journalists Foundation calls on international media freedom organisation to support female media workers who are currently imprisoned or facing constant persecution from the authorities. At least 23 female media workers are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and occupied Ukrainian territories.

AZERBAIJAN

  1. Elnara Gasimova, a reporter for anti-corruption investigative outlet Abzas Media, detained on charges of with “conspiring to bring money into the country unlawfully” under Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. On 7 March 2024, the Xatai District Court extended Gasimova’s pretrial detention until the 13 June 2024. The journalist’s lawyer intends to appeal the decision. 
  2. Nargiz Absalmova, a reporter for anti-corruption investigative outlet Abzas Media, has been detained since November 2023 on charges of conspiring to bring money into the country unlawfully. 
  3. Sevinj Vagifgizi,  achief editor of anti-corruption investigative outlet Abzas Media, has been detained since November 2023 on charges of conspiring to bring money into the country unlawfully. 

BELARUS 

  1. Ina Mozhchanka, a former BelTA staff member, has been behind bars since 29 September 2021. Sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment for “insulting an official” and “inciting hatred or enmity.”. Sentence: 3 years of imprisonment under Article 369 of the Criminal Code (insulting an official) and Article 130 (inciting hatred or enmity).
  2. Iryna Leushyna, a general director and editor-in-chief at BelaPAN media agency, behind bars since 18 August 2021. Sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (establishing and managing an extremist formation).
  3. Iryna Slaunikava, a journalist for TVP, behind bars since 30 October 2021, sentenced to 5 years in prison under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of, or active participation in actions that grossly violate public order) and Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (establishment of or participation in an extremist formation).
  4. Katsiaryna Andreyeva, a Belsat TV journalist, behind bars since 15 November 2020. Sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment under 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order) and 8 years and 3 months of imprisonment under Article 356 of the Criminal Code (high treason).
  5. Ksenia Lutskina, ajournalist, behind bars since 22 December 2020. Sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment under Part 1 of Article 357 of the Criminal Code (conspiracy or other actions to take over power).
  6. Larysa Shchyrakova, a former independent journalist, behind bars since 6 December 2022. Article 369-1 of the Criminal Code (discrediting the Republic of Belarus).
  7. Ludmila Chekina, a TUT.BY General Director, behind bars since 18 May 2021. Sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment under Part 2 of Article 243 (grand tax evasion); Part 3 of Article 130 (incitement of racial, national, religious, or other social hatred); Part 3 of Article 361 (encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus).
  8. Maryna Zolatava, a TUT.BY editor-in-chief, behind bars since 18 May 2021. Sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment under Part 2 of Article 243 (grand tax evasion); Part 3 of Article 130 (incitement of racial, national, religious, or other social hatred); Part 3 of Article 361 (encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus).
  9. Valeria Kastsiuhova, a political scientist, journalist, behind bars since 30 June 2021. Sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment under Part 1 Article 357 (conspiracy or other actions aimed at seizing power) and Part 3 Article 361 of the Criminal Code (encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of Belarus).

KYRGYZSTAN 

  1. Aike Beishekeyeva, a journalist for Temirov Live, detained on January 16 and sent to the pre-trial detention center until 13 March 2024.  
  2. Makhabat Tajibek kyzy, a head of Temirov Live and wife of Bolot Temirov, detained on January 16 and sent to the pre-trial detention center until 13 March 2024.  

 RUSSIA 

  1. Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with the Tatar-Bashkir service of U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), has been detained in Russia since October 2023 on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent. 
  2. Maria Ponomarenko, a RusNews correspondent, is serving a six-year prison sentence after being convicted by a Russian court of spreading “fake” information about the Russian army. 
  3. Nika Novak, the former editor-in-chief of the Chita online publication Zab.ru, charged under Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code (“secret cooperation with a foreign organisation”) and sentenced to two months in pre-trial detention. 
  4. Parvnia Abuzarova, a blogger, sentenced to three years in prison on charges of public calls for activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation (Part 2, Clause c of Article 280.4 of the Russian Criminal Code). 
  5. Ramilya Saitova, a blogger for YouTube-channel “Ramilya Saitova- Aksarlak”, sentenced to 5 years in the penal colony for calls for activities against the state secutiry (Art. 280.4 of the Criminal Code).

TAJIKISTAN 

  1. Batmakan Zholbolduyeva, a blogger, detained on February 9, 2024 and, currently in the pre-trial detention centre on charges of extortion. 
  2. Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, a freelance journalist, serving a 21-year prison sentence after being convicted in December 2022 on multiple anti-state charges in relation to the outbreak of mass protests in the country’s eastern Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.  

UZBEKISTAN 

  1. Emine Karamanova, a blogger, was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on charges of  Article 139 (defamation), Article 140 (insult) and Article 165 (extortion) of the Criminal Code. 

OCCUPIED UKRAINE 

  1. Iryna Danilovich, Ukrainian freelance journalist, is serving a prison sentence of six years and 11 months after being convicted by a Crimean court of illegally handling explosives. 

More information about attacks on journalists, bloggers and media workers is available on JFJ Media Risk Map and in the Incidents Database.