Interior ministry adds rights defender Łojka, 32 others to its “extremist” list

November 3, Pozirk. The interior ministry has added 33 more names to the list of “persons involved in extremist activities,” taking their total to 3,478, according to its website.

Jailed human rights defender Anastasija Łojka currently serving a seven-year prison term on charges of inciting hatred is one of the new additions.

The list also features people convicted in connection with an alleged arson attack on MP Aleh Hajdukievič’s home, among them Vadzim Prakopjeŭ, an exiled opposition activist and co-founder of the Belarusian volunteer regiment Pahonia fighting Russia in Ukraine, given 25 years in prison in absentia.

Other additions include Vital Vajciachovič and his son Uładzisłaŭ, their wives Anastasija and Volha, Siarhiej Lisoŭski, Dzianis Chamicevič, Uładzimir Saviankoŭ, Siarhiej Sakałoŭ, Mikałaj Roj, Dźmitryj Neviarkievič, Volha Pietuch, Piotr Jurkievič, Dzianis Fiłončyk, Pavieł Čychinski, Eduard Piestrak, Alaksiej Michajłaŭ. They all were given prison terms ranging from 21 to two years on charges widely seen as politically motivated.

People placed on the list of individuals involved in extremist activities are banned from education, publishing, state positions and military service for five years after completing their sentences or criminal record annulment. Their financial transactions are subject to special monitoring.

Belarus’ authoritarian regime has actually equated criticism of the government, solidarity, advocacy, free media and free expression to extremism and terrorism.