Iryna Khalip

Iryna Uladzimirawna Khalip (, ; born November 12, 1967) is a Belarusian journalist, reporter and editor in the Minsk bureau of Novaya Gazeta, known for her criticism of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

For her journalistic activities she has been regularly harassed, detained, and beaten by the Belarusian KGB and authorities. aboard a private jet belonging to Boris Berezovsky, a notorious Russian “oligarch”, wanted by the Interpol for fraud and money laundering and close friend of the Belarusian dictator Alyaksander Lukashenka.

Khalip sent a text of her journalistic investigation to the Novaya Gazeta editorial office on Saturday, November 22, 2009. Later, on the way to the hospital to treat Sannikov's broken legs, their car was intercepted while Khalip was giving a telephone interview to the Moscow radio station Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow). Khalip screamed on air that they were being forcibly removed from their car, arrested, and beaten. The child had been placed in the custody of Khalip's 74-year-old mother after his parents' incarceration. The child at the time believed his parents were on an extended business trip. Child Welfare Services required Khalip's mother to undergo a series of medical and psychological tests to assess if she would be able to retain custody, including testing for H.I.V. and syphilis, saying they would make a decision by the end of the month. Khalip's mother stated “This is an effort to put pressure on Irina. They are capable of squeezing her, and this of course is the most sensitive place.” if attempted communication, she would be sent back to prison. The judgement was handed down by Judge Tatiana Cherkas under article 293 of the Criminal code, despite the fact that Otroschenkov had been involved in the protest solely as a professional journalist.

On 16 May, 2011, Khalip was convicted of "organizing and preparing activities severely disruptive of public order" and given a suspended sentence of two years' imprisonment.

In July 2013 Khalip was exempted from criminal charges.

Awards and recognition Time magazine selected her for the 2005 special issue "European Heroes", in the category "Brave Hearts".

In October 2009, Khalip was awarded the Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women's Media Foundation.

Personal life Khalip is currently married to Andrei Sannikov, and has a son.