Belarus labels German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle ‘extremist,’ bans activities in the country
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.
Related articles
- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars exercised fifth-year contract options Monday on q2024-04-30
the remote Canadian Island known as MARS on earth! It is so otherworldly, NASA uses it for research
A cratered, rusty-red wasteland littered with rocks that's arid, bitterly cold and devoid of plant l2024-04-30- Insider knowledge about a destination is much-prized among those travellers seeking a more authentic2024-04-30
- A travel expert is warning Brits of new European holiday rules to be aware of before jetting off thi2024-04-30
Goodbye to Scotland's answer to Liz Truss: How Sturgeon's short
Humza Yousaf bowed out as SNP leader today after fewer than 400 crisis and gaffe-filled days in char2024-04-30- A travel expert is warning Brits of new European holiday rules to be aware of before jetting off thi2024-04-30
atest comment