Orsha.eu branded extremist group

August 29, Pozirk. The Belarusian interior ministry blacklisted the team of Orsha_eu media outlet originally based in Orša, Viciebsk region, as an extremist group, a pro-government Telegram channel reported.

The designation also applies all the project’s online platforms. Association with an extremist group is a serious crime in Belarus punishable by a lengthy prison sentence.

The interior ministry accused Orsha_eu journalists of discrediting and insulting officials and plotting “attacks on the sovereignty and public security of the Republic of Belarus.”

The project is banned from Belarus, while people linked to it in any form, including those sharing information with the reporters, may face criminal charges.

In July, police raided the apartment of Orsha.eu exiled editor Ihar Kaźmierčak who fled Belarus in 2021 and has updated his website from abroad.

Last year, officials reportedly visited his apartment to prepare it for seizure.

In mid-March, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Kaźmierčak, charging him with facilitating extremism and insulting Alaksandar Łukašenka.

Earlier, authorities blacklisted orsha.eu and its social media as extremist content, prohibiting users from sharing its publications.

The interior ministry has labeled at least 31 Belarusian media outlets as extremist groups in a bid to silence critics of the government.

Also read: Police search exiled editor’s apartment