Dzmitry Navazhylau

Ex-director, BelaPAN News Agency

Detained: 18 Aug 2021
Charges: Art. 342 of the Criminal Code — Organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them;
Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code — Creation of an extremist formation
Status: Arrested

Dzmitry Navazhylau is former director of the BelaPAN news agency.

Navazhylau was arested on August 18, 2021, after security officers searched his home and BelaPAN’s office in Minsk.

Navazhylau was detained for 72 hours under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization or preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or participation in them).

10 days after arrest, Navazhylau was transferred to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Minsk.

In early September, Navazhylau was officially charged under Part 2 of Art. 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion entailing large-scale damage).

In November, Navazhylau faced new charges of “creating an extremist formation”.