Katsiaryna had been behind bars since 2020 — when she went to cover the March of Memory for the murdered Raman Bandarenka. Her self-sacrificing husband, Ihar Ilyash, refused to leave Belarus while his wife was imprisoned. Now he is behind bars himself.
Katsiaryna Andreyeva after her release
Among the political prisoners released on the day of another American delegation's visit to Belarus was journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva.
Katsiaryna Andreyeva (Bakhvalava by passport) was arrested in November 2020. She did not return home from the Square of Changes, from where she was broadcasting live for "Belsat". Andreyeva and camera operator Darya Chultsova were allowed into an apartment balcony by its residents, but security forces stormed the apartment. A criminal case was opened against the girls, and they were sentenced to 2 years in prison for "participating" in protests.
However, when Darya Chultsova was released after serving her term, a new criminal case was opened against Katsiaryna Andreyeva — for "treason against the state". In total, the journalist received 8 years and 3 months of imprisonment.
Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Ihar Ilyash. They married in 2016
Meanwhile, Katsiaryna was awaited at home by her husband Ihar Ilyash, also a journalist. Ihar was detained in July 2021, but after 10 days at Akrestsina, he was released and remained under suspicion in a case regarding alleged participation in protests.
Ihar Ilyash decided to stay in Belarus to have more opportunities to support Katsiaryna and visit her for meetings. He stopped his public journalistic work.
In October 2024, it became known that Ihar was detained again. He was arrested for an interview with independent media about Katsiaryna — which was deemed "facilitating extremist activity," and for preparing analytical reports — which was deemed "discrediting Belarus."
Ihar Ilyash was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in September 2025.
Katsiaryna Andreyeva (Bakhvalava) was born in 1993. After school, she enrolled at MSLU, but in her third year, she left to volunteer in Spain, where she spent two years. After returning to her homeland, she decided to continue the family dynasty and pursue journalism. Her grandfather is the renowned journalist Siarhei Vahanau. She worked for "Radio Svaboda" and "Belsat".
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