Prominent Belarusian culture advocate charged with high treason, leading extremist group

January 9, BPN. Senior Investigative Committee officer Siarhiej Pasko has told state-run news agency BelTA that investigators brought four charges against Pavieł Biełavus, the founder and owner of the Symbal.by store selling national-themed goods.

The prominent Belarusian language and culture advocate is charged with high treason, organizing protests, calling for national security to be undermined and leading an extremist group.

Pasko claimed that Biełavus “has been active for 10 years striving to change the government by unconstitutional means.” “Under the guise of cultural and historical promotion on various social networks and websites,” the man allegedly “spread the ideas of Belarusian nationalism, the purpose of which was to change Belarus’ government.”

Biełavus remains in custody. His property worth more than 50,000 rubels (some $18,500) has been seized. The committee has sent his case file to the prosecutors.