Interior ministry blacklists 625 people as “extremists”

October 28, BPN. The interior ministry has added 625 persons to its list of persons involved in “extremist” activities, which currently features 1,469 names.

Most of the new additions are accused of participating in protests, insulting public officials and Alaksandr Łukašenka or inciting hatred, including both those who are still serving their sentences and those already released.

Journalist Aksana Kołb, editor in chief of Novy Čas newspaper is among them. She left Belarus after the authorities had sentenced her to two and a half years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility.

Web-design studio owner Hleb Kojpiš, doctor Alaksandr Cialeha, Dźmitjry Hopta with a mental disability, Rehina Lavor who founded a national cultures museum in the Hrodna region, Jahor Michajłaŭ, Darja Laŭko, Alaksandr Kutas, and Daniił Kalesnikaŭ are also among the designees.

The interior ministry says that the list helps it prevent crime and maintain public safety. Blacklisted individuals are banned from teaching, publishing, serving in the military and holding public office until their convictions are expunged and within five years thereafter. Authorities can control their financial transactions under the pretext of fighting money laundering and extremism financing.

Those designated as extremists and terrorists are not eligible for pardon or early release under the government-declared clemency program.