Belarus Orders Arrest of Four Deutsche Welle Journalists; DW Calls It an Attempt to Criminalise Journalism

In brief

• Belarusian authorities have put four Deutsche Welle Belarus journalists on a wanted list, and Russia is also reportedly seeking them.
• The warrants are linked to a 2024 extremist designation of DW Belarus, which led to a ban on DW content in the country.
• DW director general Barbara Massing called the move an attempt to criminalise independent journalism.

Wanted list for four DW journalists

Belarusian authorities have issued arrest warrants for four journalists working for Deutsche Welle's Belarus service, the German international broadcaster said. The four are Olga Kapustina, Alexandra Boguslawskaja, Ulyana Babayed and Katsiaryna Kryzhanouskaya (Deutsche Welle: Belarus schreibt DW-Journalistinnen zur Fahndung aus – DER SPIEGEL). DW reported that the four are also sought in Russia (Deutsche Welle осудила розыск четырех беларусских журналисток – Reform.news). The journalists are currently in Germany (Pressefreiheit - Deutsche Welle kritisiert Fahndung nach Journalistinnen in Belarus – Deutschlandfunk).

Background of the case

The Belarusian Interior Ministry declared DW Belarus an "extremist organisation" in April 2024, which led to a broad ban on DW content in the country. Authorities accuse the programme of endangering national sovereignty and public security and of discrediting state officials. The warrants are reportedly linked to criminal proceedings over alleged participation in an "extremist formation".

DW's response

DW director general Barbara Massing condemned the move as an unacceptable attempt to criminalise independent journalism and intimidate reporters for doing their work (Journalismus: Belarus fahndet nach Journalistinnen der Deutschen Welle – ZEIT ONLINE). She said DW would continue to provide people in Belarus with independent and reliable information.

Press freedom context

Belarus ranks 165th of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.