KGB brands Union of Poles in Belarus’ website “extremist” group

April 1, Pozirk. The Committee for State Security (KGB) has blacklisted a group of people associated with znadniemna.pl, the website of the unofficial Union of Poles in Belarus (UPB), as an extremist group, the interior ministry’s website says.

The move may result in criminal persecution of ethnic Poles associated with the website. The KGB identified Polish minority journalist Andrzej Pisalnik and Inna Todrik-Pisalnik as individuals associated with it.

In late 2021, znadniemna.pl was also branded “extremist” content in Belarus after authorities started cracking down on Polish minority activists, including UPB leader Anžalika Borys (Andżelika Borys) and journalist Andrzej Poczobut (Andrej Pačobut).

Last February, Poczobut was given eight years in prison on charges of inciting hatred and calling for sanctions that allegedly harmed the national security of Belarus.

In response to the harsh sentence, Poland closed Bobrowniki, one of the two road checkpoints available for travelers.

Alaksandr Łukašenka said he was not ready to free Poczobut in exchange for the opening of the Bobrowniki border crossing.

A few months later, authorities released Borys from house arrest and dropped the criminal charge of inciting hatred, citing the lack of evidence.

Warsaw welcomed her release, urging the authorities to free and exonerate Poczobut.

Also read: Polish official says conditions not right to secure reporter Pačobut’s release