The “Belarusian Council for Culture” and a number of cultural initiatives have been designated as “extremist formations” in Belarus. The decision was taken by the State Security Committee on April 9, 2026, and published on Friday.
The list includes the following initiatives:
- “BELARUSIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURE” / “Belaruskaya Rada Kultury” / BCC;
- projects “Mahistrat”;
- “Vasminoh”;
- “ArtPower Belarus”;
- “Foundation of the Belarusian Council for Culture” / “FUNDACJA BIAŁORUSKA RADA KULTURY”.
The record states that the following individuals are allegedly associated with them:
Siarhiej Budkin, born February 23, 1982
Elina Kałnibałockaja, born May 10, 1997
Alena Rydzieŭskaja, born February 23, 1980
Nadzieja Haretskaja, born July 1, 1987
Cimafiej Akudovič, born February 11, 1983
Bažena Lis, born November 21, 1997
Alena Tur, born June 11, 1991
Katsiaryna Ramanchyk, born September 20, 1987
Alena Varanets, born January 13, 1998
Iryna Lukashenka, born September 29, 1982
Volha Mzhelskaya, born June 14, 1986
“A group of citizens forming the extremist formation ‘BELARUSIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURE’ / ‘Belaruskaya Rada Kultury’ / BCC, projects ‘Mahistrat’, ‘Vasminoh’ , ‘ArtPower Belarus’, ‘Foundation of the Belarusian Council for Culture’ / ‘FUNDACJA BIAŁORUSKA RADA KULTURY’ carries out extremist activities”, the “reference information” states.
It was reported earlier that in recent days searches and detentions of people linked to socio-cultural organisations have been carried out in various cities across Belarus. According to human rights defenders, investigators are looking for “foreign funding”. Some of those detained have been placed in pre-trial detention centres. Searches and interrogations are being conducted by KGB officers.
Belarusian authorities regularly use extremism-related charges to target opponents and dissent more broadly.
