Two REL journalists expelled from Belarus

Two Russian Radio Service Free Europe correspondents have been expelled from Belarus after being arrested in Minsk on 21 August.

Journalists Yulia Yulia Visnettskaya and Andrei Kisev were sent to Smolensk, west of Russia, and were reportedly barred from entering Belarus for five years.

Free Europe Radio has not yet been given any explanation concerning the arrest and then the expulsion of its journalists from Belarus.

The deportation of two REL journalists comes at the time when the regime of President Belarus, Alicksander Lucasenka is suppressing protests by political opponents, activists and media, which are showing their displeasure after Lucashenka announced victory in the August 9th election.

Journalists Vishnutskaya and Kisev work at the REL Bureau in Moscow. Both were originally sent to the Interior Ministry offices in the Belarus capital, where they had been kept for hours.

Tens of journalists have also been arrested in Belarus and have been attacked during the election campaign. Also during the protests following these elections, dozens of journalists were arrested, including members of the REL staff.

On 21 August, Belarusian authorities have also restricted access to the REL Belarus Service as well as to other media, in the official Minsk's efforts to control information as protests continue.

The European Union, the United States and many other states have expressed their concerns over the election results and condemned the Belarusn authorities for using force against protesters.