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.
Immersive Studio Ghibli exhibition opens in Shanghai
Nadal loses to De Minaur in second round at Barcelona. Spaniard had returned from injury layoff
How much of England's motorway network has no hard shoulder? This map reveals all...
The U.N. rights chief says eastern Congo's escalating violence is being forgotten by the world
3 officers killed, 5 wounded in Charlotte, North Carolina shootout; a suspect is dead
Italy's leader keeps the focus on migration on her fourth visit to Tunisia in a year
USA Basketball finalizing Paris Olympics roster, AP sources say
New Mexico special legislative session to focus on public safety initiatives
Program to boost cultural exchanges between China and France
House panel says China subsidizes fentanyl production to fuel crisis in the United States
Lady Gaga and boyfriend Michael Polansky make a rare appearance as they step out for a low
Man arrested after 3 shot to death in central Indiana apartment complex