Affiliated media: "ChesTnOK" , Media project

Incident date: April 18, 2025

Attack type:

• Selective application of repressive laws

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Minsk

Additional information:

The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs has designated the author-led project ChesTnOK, created by Belarusian journalists Alaksandar Ivulin and Yaroslav Pisarenko, as an “extremist organisation”. The ministry’s decision lists a number of YouTube and Telegram channels, affiliated social media pages, as well as the personal pages of Yaroslav Pisarenko and Alaksandar Ivulin. Under Belarusian law, any interaction with resources designated as extremist organisations may lead to criminal prosecution and imprisonment for up to ten years for participation in an extremist organisation or for assisting an extremist organisation (Articles 361-1 and 361-4 of the Criminal Code).