Opposition businessman’s Telegram, YouTube audiences declared extremist

June 19, BPN. The groups of citizens associated with Telegram account Radio Gaaga (Radyjo Haaha) and YouTube channel Vadim Prokopyev (Vadzim Prakopjeŭ) have been recognized as “extremist formations”.

According to the the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ website, the decision was made by the Committee for the State Security (KGB) on June 14.

Vadzim Prakopjeŭ, former owner of restaurants in Minsk, supported public protests against vote rigging in the 2020 presidential election by sending powerful video messages to energize protesters and condemn the Belarusian regime. He fled Belarus for fear of reprisals.

In early February, the authorities blacklisted Prakopjeŭ’s Telegram account Radyjo Haaha and his YouTube channel as extremist content.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted him to join the Belarusian volunteer regiment Pahonia.