Social democratic party reports search at leader’s apartment in Belarus

June 11, Pozirk. The Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) said that security officers searched its leader’s apartment in Belarus.

It linked the raid to a criminal case against Ihar Barysaŭ, who is based abroad, and recalled that, on May 7, the interior ministry declared the BSDP an extremist group.

It is unclear what charges officials are pressing against Barysaŭ.

The BSDP was deregistered along with 12 political parties deleted from the official register in the summer and fall of 2023. Deregistration is tantamount to a ban under the country’s authoritarian government.

Belarus currently has four pro-government parties: Biełaja Ruś, the Communist Party of Belarus, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Labor and Justice.

On May 13, media reported that security forces seized BSDP symbols from the home of a former member’s parents.

Also read: Interior ministry brands outlawed Hramada party as extremist group