Infa-Kurjer shelved as articles declared extremist

April 8, BPN. A publisher in Belarus has ceased publication of the Infa-Kurjer newspaper after its articles were declared extremist. A statement to this effect was published on the newspaper’s website.

“Unfortunately, the editors will no longer be able to please you with interesting and useful articles, rejoice in your success, or try to find solutions to your problems,” the statement reads.

Infa-Kurjer will not be published in print or online, according to the announcement.

“We were not engaged in propaganda or praise. We did not conform to all sorts of political chatter. Of course, occasionally we made mistakes, but continued to learn, trying to be unbiased,” the newspaper said. “Thank you! We are not ashamed of our performance over the past 23 (and more) years. We apologize for this frustrating and unpredictable ending. We didn’t choose it.”

On April 5, a district court in Minsk labeled the content of the privately-owned Infa-Kurjer (Słuck, Minsk region) as extremist. The decision applied to print and social media pieces, including those posted to YouTube and Telegram.

On March 15, police raided the editorial office, arresting three journalists, including CEO and editor in chief Siarhiej Stankievič. At least two of them, including Stankievič, were sentenced to 15 days in jail for defying police orders.