{"id":127249,"date":"2025-02-21T14:50:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T11:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/127249\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"interior-ministry-brands-zianon-pazniaks-initiative-as-extremist-group","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/127249\/","title":{"rendered":"Interior ministry brands Zianon Pa\u017aniak’s initiative as “extremist” group"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Zianon Pa\u017aniak\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Screenshot by Pozirk)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 21, Pozirk<\/em>. <\/strong>The interior ministry has announced an extremist group designation for the Volnaja Bie\u0142aru\u015b political initiative led by Zianon Pa\u017aniak, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka’s longtime rival, taking the total on the extremist group register to 262.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alena Samusieva and Viktar Karalko\u016d were identified as members along with Pa\u017aniak. Belarusian law enforcers also blacklisted their personal social media accounts, e-mail addresses and other online resources allegedly linked to the group and as well as Volnaja Bie\u0142aru\u015b’ logo featuring a drawing of a protest rally with white-red-white flags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Pa\u017aniak urged the Western countries to launch talks with Minsk to negotiate the release of political prisoners, whom he described as hostages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The politician suggested using the incentive of lifting some sanctions in exchange for the prisoners\u2019 release and an end to politically-motivated reprisals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the 2020 political crisis, authorities in Belarus have been equating criticism, solidarity, advocacy, the free media and free expression to extremism and terrorism.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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