Belarusian investigators crack down on people’s embassies

March 20, Pozirk. The Investigative Committee has filed extremism-related criminal charges against more than one hundred exiled activists, its press office reports citing spokesperson Siarhiej Kabakovič.

Belarusian investigators have “full information about more than one hundred representatives of radical diasporas,” who are accused of setting up and participating in activities of an extremist group, he said.

Law enforcers have identified more than 30 real estate properties, which may be seized, he added.

Andrej Stryžak of the BySol Foundation said police have conducted searches at the homes of exiled activists, noting that the foundation is ready to help any victims of reprisals flee Belarus.

Based on Kabakovič’s remarks, the crackdown targets the opposition’s people’s embassies and other diaspora organizations.

On February 28, the Committee for State Security (KGB) blacklisted the opposition people’s embassies as an “extremist” group.

Dating back to 2020, the people’s embassies represent exiled Belarusians and are associated with former Belarusian diplomats who resigned in protest against vote rigging in the 2020 presidential election.

The embassies operate in more than 20 countries, advocating for Belarusians who cannot receive services from official diplomatic missions.