Mediazona. Belarus designated as extremist group

February 26, Pozirk. The interior ministry has designated Mediazona. Belarus, an offshoot of Russia’s Mediazona focusing on human rights coverage, as an extremist group.

The decision names Anastasija Bajko as its editor in chief.

The Belarusian government blocked access to Mediazona. Belarus website in August 2020. The outlet’s journalists have fled abroad fearing politically-motivated persecution.

Membership of extremist groups is a crime in Belarus that carries a prison sentence of up to seven years. The government holds more than 40 media workers behind bars.

Also read: Pozirk designated as extremist group in Belarus