Independent publisher’s license suspended again

December 22, BPN. The Belarusian Ministry of Information has suspended the license of the private publisher Knihazbor for a month starting on December 27.

It explained the move by the publisher’s alleged failure to promptly inform the authorities of changes in its data for inclusion in the state register of publishers. In mid-May, it used the same reason to suspend Khihazbor’s activities for three months.

In mid-October, the state-run bookstore network Biełkniha terminated its contracts with independent publishers, including Knihazbor.

Belarusian publishers that sell books in Belarusian started winding down their activities or focusing on other areas following the information ministry’s numerous restrictions. Many writers and publishers censor their works or have moved abroad, according to Belarusian PEN.