September 09, 2022

Belarus Cracks Down, Again


Belarus Cracks Down, Again
The building that houses the legislature of Belarus just screams democracy. The Russian Life files

Belarus's Supreme Court ruled recently that the political organization BYPOL is a terrorist group. As such, it can be prosecuted and its members detained.

BYPOL was founded in 2020 after massive demonstrations rocked Belarus. Protestors took to the streets to dispute the reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994.

A group of ex-law enforcement officers founded BYPOL in an effort to support opposition candidates. However, denouncing the organization as a terrorist group means that they will not be allowed to meet, and they are squarely within the legal crosshairs of the Lukashenko regime.

Belarus, like Russia, has been experiencing legal crackdowns on dissent as the war in Ukraine continues, only further entrenching both countries' infamous authoritarian habits.

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