Culture initiative branded “extremist” group, prominent musician feared arrested

December 22, Pozirk. The Committee for State Security (KGB) branded the Da Zoraŭ culture initiative as an “extremist” group, according to the interior ministry’s website.
The KGB listed Aleś Čumakoŭ of the medieval music band Stary Olsa and Siamion Małašankaŭ as members. The extremist designation also covers the initiative’s Instagram page.
Čumakoŭ is likely under arrest, according to a report by Naša Niva. The Viasna Human Rights Center said that arrests linked to the Da Zoraŭ initiative took place in late November but could not confirm any names.
Belarusian authorities routinely use extremism designations to silence critical voices after the disputed 2020 presidential election. Association with an extremist group carries a penalty of two to seven years in prison.
Interior ministry brands former Kalinoŭski fighter, 31 others as extremists
- PoliticsRights groups designate 23 new political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyŁabkovič: jailed dissidents face torture-like conditions in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus plans to connect third nuclear plant unit to grid in 2035-38The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsRights defender appeals to Trump administration to secure release of all Belarus’ political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- SocietyViciebsk police arrest local man for making handgunsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyInformation ministry reminds individual entrepreneurs engaged in publishing to register companies before January 1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEurasian bank links Belarus’ industrial downturn to sagging demand in RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsŁukašenka to Putin: Belarus, Russia to settle “one or two issues”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SocietyBelarus deports 3,000 foreigners since year's start – interior ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka to meet with Putin during working visit to RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Germany news, PoliticsGerman MP: Russian troops in Belarus threaten NATOThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands former Kalinoŭski fighter, 31 others as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka: KGB crucial for Belarusian politicsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Belarusians returning home face border interrogationsThe material is available only to POZIRK+


