I work as a sports journalist for Tribuna.com Belarus. On August 12, 2020, this publication was one of the first to be blocked in Belarus for its pro-democracy stance and support of peaceful protests against state-fraud and violence. Later, on August 6, 2021, Tbibuna.com Belarus — its website, apps, and social media pages — were deemed extremist.
Even before 2020, I maintained the youtube channel “Chestnok”, in which I reported on sports events in Belarus. In 2020, I also took an active civic stance on the elections and supported peaceful protests. In November 2020, I was detained for the first time for participating in a rally, but was released after 15 hours at the police department. At the end of 2020 I was tried in an administrative case and fined 30 basic units (810 Belarusian rubles).
On June 3, 2021 I was detained again with my friend and colleague (he was editing the “Chestnok” channel) Yaroslav Pisarenko on the administrative case. We were detained at home, where we were also searched. After the trial I was sentenced to 30 days of administrative arrest and my colleague Yaroslav to 15 days. After 15 days my colleague was free and able to leave the country. I was transferred to pre-trial prison # 1 on Volodarskogo street on a criminal case under Article 342 (participation in protests).
Later, while I was in the detention center, my youtube-channel was declared extremist (September 17, 2021), and I was personally included in the list of extremists in Belarus.
Already after several days in pre-trial detention, the human rights center “Viasna” recognized me as a political prisoner.
After 7 months in pre-trial detention, a court session took place on January 19, 2022, and sentenced me to 2 years in a penal colony. On February 17, 2023 I was released and left the country.
Many media outlets, both Belarusian and foreign, wrote about my story. You can read the articles at the following links:
https://euroradio.fm/ru/aleksandr-ivulin
https://cpj.org/2022/01/belarusian-journalist-aliaksandr-ivulin-sentenced-to-2-years-in-prison-for-protest-coverage/
https://www.dw.com/ru/sportivnogo-zhurnalista-v-belarusi-prigovorili-k-kolonii/a-60451279
https://www.sports.ru/football/1105544914-zhurnalista-tribunacom-i-igroka-krumkachej-ivulina-prigovorili-k-2-god.html
https://reform.by/tag/aleksandr-ivulin
https://wiadomosci.radiozet.pl/Swiat/Dziennikarz-sportowy-Alaksander-Iwulin-kontra-rezim-Lukaszenki.-A-Sasza-wyjdzie
https://www.voiceofbelarus.org/belarus-news/sports-journalist-aliaksandr-ivulin-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison/
https://en.underpressure.press-club.pro/ivulin
How much is needed?
3100€ — purchase of phone, laptop and check-up at the clinic.