{"id":178080,"date":"2026-03-04T18:18:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178080\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"kgb-designates-pen-belarus-as-extremist-group","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178080\/","title":{"rendered":"KGB designates PEN Belarus as extremist group"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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March 4, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Belarus\u2019 Committee for State Security (KGB) has designated a reputable association defending writers\u2019 rights, PEN Belarus, as an extremist group as the government continues its relentless crackdown on dissent for fifth year in a row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The KGB made the decision on February 27, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs added the entry on March 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It identified Ta\u0107ciana Niadbaj, chairwoman of PEN Belarus, and Alena Ta\u0142ka\u010dova as individuals associated with the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Established in 1989, PEN Belarus is one of the country\u2019s oldest human rights associations. Both Belarusian Nobel laureates, \u015aviat\u0142ana Aleksijevi\u010d and Ale\u015b Bialacki, are members of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, Belarus\u2019 Supreme Court ruled to outlaw PEN Belarus in the country for alleged failure to follow correct procedures while receiving foreign grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organization moved to Poland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus\u2019 list of \u201cextremist organizations\u201d contains 335 entries, including leading media outlets, rights groups and solidarity initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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