Dissidentby: KGB Attempts to Recruit Belarusians Abroad Through Their Parents

Human rights initiative Dissidentby reports that the Belarusian KGB has been attempting to recruit Belarusians who have left the country. According to the organization, such efforts have intensified over the past six months.

Human rights defenders say they are aware of several cases in which the parents of Belarusians living abroad were approached and threatened by KGB officers, who demanded contact information for their children. The officers allegedly cited the individuals’ connection to the Centre for New Ideas, which has been designated an “extremist formation” in Belarus.

After obtaining contact details, the KGB reportedly reaches out to the targeted individual and attempts to draw them into long-term communication through threats, pressure, or seemingly friendly offers.

“The main goal of such contacts is to persuade a person to engage in long-term cooperation, obtain as much information as possible, and create a situation in which it becomes almost impossible to refuse further contact,” the human rights group warned.

Dissidentby has prepared guidance on how to respond in such situations.