Accessibility links

Breaking News

Belarusian Police Detain Self-Exiled Writer's Father


Award-winning Belarusian writer Sasha Filipenka (file photo)
Award-winning Belarusian writer Sasha Filipenka (file photo)

Police in Belarus detained the father of self-exiled Belarusian writer Sasha Filipenka without explanation after searching his apartment on November 9. Filipenka wrote on Facebook that police told his mother: "Thank your son for this.... It is obvious that they are putting pressure on me and want me to stop talking to the European media," Filipenka's Facebook post said. The 39-year-old writer gained prominence for several books in Russian, for which he received literary prizes. He fled Belarus after he took part in anti-government protests in 2020. He also publicly condemned Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service is one of the leading providers of news and analysis to Belarusian audiences in their own language. It is a bulwark against pervasive Russian propaganda and defies the government’s virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

​
XS
SM
MD
LG