Vilnius to host solidarity event for Belarusian journalists

VILNIUS – A solidarity event called "Journalism is not a crime!" will take place in Vilnius' Sakura Park on Wednesday in support of independent Belarusian journalists.

The Lithuanian Journalist Union, which organizes the event, says 33 media representatives are currently imprisoned in Belarusian.

"In support of our colleagues who are currently behind bars, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (currently based in Vilnius due to government persecution), together with the Lithuanian Journalist Union, is launching a solidarity marathon and calls on other journalist organizations around the world to join in," the invitation to join the campaign says.

The solidarity event is organized together with the Belarusian journalist organization to mark World Press Freedom Day. 

According to the Belarusian human rights organization Viasna, nearly 1,500 people have so far been jailed in the country for opposition activities.