Belarus’ Interior Ministry has designated the Association of Belarusians in America (ABA) an “extremist formation.”
According to the ministry, the following individuals are affiliated with the organization: Marya Astapenka, Tatsiana Astapenka, Anton Belianski, Emiliya Barkouskaya-Stepanchuk, Volha Broman, Filipp Havrysheu, Marya Yafimava, Yauhen Zhdanovich, Anzhalika Zaitseva, Hleb Ivashkevich, Katsiaryna Maliyeuskaya, Vitali Samsonau, Artur Senka, Volha Shalyha, Siarhei Shalyha, Hanna Sharko and Aliaksandr Yankouski.
The Interior Ministry’s list of “extremist formations” also mentions the website and social media accounts of the Byaction volunteer initiative in connection with the association.
Authorities in Belarus routinely use extremism-related charges to target opponents of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and suppress dissent more broadly.
