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.
Overseas Chinese history museum opens new branch in S. China
ACWF Holds Leadership Meeting to Study Spirit of 'Two Sessions'
ACWF Calls on Women, Families to Stop Wasting Food, Promote Thrifty Living
Boao Forum for Asia unveils agenda for 2024 conference
Analysis: IndyCar cheating scandal risks sullying Roger Penske's perfect image
Torch relay of 4th Asian Para Games starts in Hangzhou
ACWF Holds Mobilization Meeting on Party History Learning and Education
ACWF Launches Campaign to Salute Women Role Models in Anti
Historic woods turned into 'desolate wasteland' by fly
Boao Forum for Asia unveils agenda for 2024 conference
English Premier League takes another step toward introducing a spending cap
ACWF Launches Campaign to Salute Women Role Models in Anti