TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian authorities on Monday declared that the Belarusian service of the German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle is an “extremist” organization and banned all its activities in the country.
The declaration means anyone working with Deutsche Welle producing content for the Belarusian service potentially faces a seven-year prison sentence. Anyone who reads and reposts articles by Deutsche Welle could be found guilty of an administrative or criminal offense.
Peter Limbourg, Deutsche Welle’s director general, criticized the decision, saying the accusations are “unfounded” and do not reflect the true nature of the Belarusian service’s work.
Belarusian authorities have already named 199 organizations as “extremist” and they use the label to suppress dissent in the country. The list includes the Belarusian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the independent Belarusian TV channel Belsat, broadcasting in the Belarusian language from the Polish capital Warsaw.
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Pair charged with hijacking car in Auckland
Fox within sight of lead at US Masters midway point
Wellington water: Funding problems creating 'extreme residual risks'
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Government announces animal facial eczema research fund
More than 100 killed while seeking aid in Gaza, overall death toll passes 30,000
Tāngarākau Gorge road to remain closed until mid
Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro
Piers Morgan, Nigella and Oprah Winfrey 'deepfaked' for US influencer's ads