KGB declares Ruch an extremist group

June 29, BPN. The Belarusian Committee for State Security (KGB) has declared Ruch, a EU-based Belarusian nationalist organization, an extremist group, accusing it of radical activities on social media.

According to an updated register on the interior ministry’s website, it identified blogger Jan Rudzik, sentenced in absentia to 19 years’ imprisonment in a high-profile case against the Nexta media group, as a spokesman for Ruch. It also accused Jarasłaŭ Hryhorjeŭ of leading its Lithuanian branch.

In April, the authorities banned Ruch’s Telegram channel and bot, as well as its logo – a two-barred cross decorated with a sword.