Investigators charge two exiles with extremism, defamation

March 14, Pozirk. Investigators in the Viciebsk region have opened a special procedure case against Ludmiła Barejka and Ihar Kaźmierčak under Criminal Code articles often used to prosecute regime critics.

The Investigative Committee said Barejka was charged with defamation.

It was she who came up with the slogan “Stop the Cockroach,” which was widely used by Alaksandar Łukašenka’s opponents during the 2020 presidential race and protests, according to rights activists.

Kaźmierčak, a human rights defender and editor of the local website Orsha.eu, was charged with facilitating extremism and insulting the head of state.

Earlier, investigators in Hrodna opened a special procedure case against activist Siarhiej Vieramiejanka and journalist Uładzimir Chilmanovič.

Special procedures allow the government to prosecute its exiled critics on charges of terrorism, genocide, high treason, etc. It has already opened cases against 75 activists based abroad.