Investigative journalist Aliaksei Karpeka, who works for the outlet “Buro,” has been placed in custody in absentia as part of a criminal case opened against him in Belarus. The journalist reported this on his Facebook page.
“To inform Karpeka A. L. of his procedural status in the criminal case, in particular that he is charged under Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus and that a preventive measure in the form of detention has been applied to him,” reads an excerpt from the document published by Karpeka.
Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code provides for liability for participation in an “extremist formation” with the aim of committing extremist-related crimes.
Belarusian authorities use extremism-related charges to target opponents and suppress dissent more broadly.