Belarus: DW correspondent sentenced to imprisonment

In the Belarusian city of Mogilev, Burakov had been waiting with other journalists for access to a court hearing on May 12, when he was arrested outside the courthouse.

Burakov was there to report for DW on the trial of opposition politician Pavel Sevyarynets and five other persons accused of "taking part in mass unrest."

The verdict after today's trial is that Burakov was "guilty of renewed participation in an unauthorized event within a year."

Burakov had already been sentenced to ten days in prison on similar charges last year.

Classifying the group of journalists waiting outside the courthouse on May 12 as a "banned gathering" is another step by Lukashenko's regime to suppress critical media reports.

DW Director General Peter Limbourg: "We call on the authorities in Belarus to overturn the verdict immediately. We strongly protest the violation of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the press in Belarus. This indictment is arbitrarily constructed and the treatment of Alexander Burakov shows that the regime is acting with increasing ruthlessness against journalists."

On May 13, Alexander Burakov had gone on hunger strike in protest of his arrest. During his court hearing today, he reported torture and inhumane treatment during his pre-trial detention. He said he was repeatedly woken up at night and the guards forced him to strip naked.