OSCE calls upon independent investigation of Aleh Byabenin’s death

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has made a statement concerning the death of the journalist in Belarus.

Dunja Mijatovich has expressed concern over the death of Aleh Byabenin and called upon the authorities to carry out an impartial and transparent investigation.

“Aleh Byabenin’s death is a great loss for the Belarusian journalistic community. His militant website is one of the few non-governmental sources of information, and workers of the web-site are subjected to administrative pressure since long ago,” Dunja Mijatovich said.

“I welcome the intention of the Office of Prosecutor General to carry out investigation of other possible versions of the journalist’s death, despite of the preliminary conclusion that the journalist had committed suicide… I call upon the Belarusian authorities to carry out an independent investigation of this tragic death. It is especially important to avoid exacerbation of the negative influence on Belarusian mass media, which could be caused by questions about his death,” the OSCE representative stated.

Dunja Mijatovich has also expressed condolences to Aleh Byabenin family, his friends and colleagues.