Belarus targets relatives of exiled journalists, media group says

Belarusian security forces have intensified pressure on the families of journalists who were forced to leave the country due to repression and restrictions on freedom of speech. This was reported by the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).

— Information about visits by security forces to the parents of Belarusian journalists who fled repression in their homeland has been appearing regularly throughout all of the last six years, — BAJ representatives say.

— In July 2026, however, such reports became significantly more frequent. A wave of pressure on journalists through pressure on their relatives swept across all of Belarus. Over the past weeks, human rights defenders have received information about no fewer than 15 such cases.

Pressure is exerted on journalists' families in various ways: visits are carried out by employees of the Committee for State Security (KGB), local police officers, and GUBAZiK (the Main Directorate of the Interior Ministry for Combating Organised Crime). Most often, security forces "invite" relatives for a conversation about their children, asking about their place of residence, etc. BAJ adds that in some cases searches and inspections of premises were conducted, and there were also summonses for interrogation. Several people were forced to provide saliva as a genetic material sample.

In July, attempts at recruiting not only political activists but also journalists intensified. The security services have shown particular interest in even those who are pursuing higher education in Poland.