Investigative Committee Launches Special Proceedings Against Dzmitry Balkunets

The Investigative Committee of Belarus has announced the launch of special proceedings against political analyst Dzmitry Balkunets and has demanded that he appear at the Minsk City Department of the Investigative Committee.

The case is being investigated under eight articles of the Criminal Code:

• Part 1 of Article 357 (conspiracy or other actions committed with the aim of seizing power);
• Part 3 of Article 361 (calls for sanctions against Belarus);
• Part 1 of Article 361-1 (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it);
• Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 (assistance to extremist activity);
• Parts 1 and 2 of Article 367 (defamation of Lukashenka);
• Parts 1 and 2 of Article 368 (insulting Lukashenka);
• Article 369 (insulting a representative of the authorities);
• Article 369-1 (discrediting Belarus).

The date of initiation of the special proceedings is January 22, 2026.

Special proceedings are applied to citizens who are outside Belarus. Courts subsequently consider their cases in absentia.