Investigators charge six with extremism over pro-Ukraine banner

May 17, BPN. Belarus’ Investigative Committee has said that it opened a criminal case against six people accused of extremism for displaying a banner with Ukrainian and Belarusian symbols.

The committee said the suspects hung out the banner in October 2022 on the outskirts of Minsk. It featured the Ukrainian flag and the white-red-flag associated with anti-Łukašenka resistance.

The suspects are also accused of insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka and funding extremist activities.

The human rights group Viasna identified them as Ihar Ciapciejeŭ, Juryj Nieściarenka, Viktar Hryńko, Valeryj Bałabieška, Uładzimir Savielieŭ and Ihar Cikač, aged 34-36. All were arrested last year.

The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of eight years.