Czech Journalist Detained in Georgia Before Elections

Czech journalist Ray Baseley was detained at Tbilisi airport upon arrival to cover Georgia's parliamentary election, with Czech authorities seeking clarification on the reasons for his detention. Baseley, a freelance reporter associated with Forum24, reported being refused entry without explanation, and his belongings were seized, creating a communication blackout. Meanwhile, in Belarus, journalist Igor Ilyash was detained under charges of assisting extremist formations, reflecting the ongoing repression of dissent under President Lukashenko's regime. Ilyash's detention follows the imprisonment of his wife, journalist Katsiaryna Bakhvalava, further highlighting the crackdown on independent media in Belarus. Additionally, Russian engineer Anton Selivanets was confirmed dead after a cargo plane he was on was shot down in Sudan amid escalating civil conflict, raising concerns over the safety of foreign workers in the region. The situation in both Georgia and Belarus underscores the challenges faced by journalists and foreign nationals amid political turmoil.