The KGB has added nine more people to its list of “persons involved in terrorist activities.”
Among them is Lithuanian citizen Viachaslau Papsha. He ran the “Zhyve” YouTube channel. Papsha was detained in 2024 and charged under five criminal articles, including insulting Lukashenka and representatives of the authorities, inciting hatred, desecration of state symbols, facilitating extremist activity, and defamation of Lukashenka. His trial began in November 2025.
On December 13, 2025, Papsha was released before sentencing following negotiations between Alyaksandr Lukashenka and John Coale and was taken to Lithuania. The KGB list states that Papsha is charged under Article 130 of the Criminal Code (incitement of hatred).
The “terrorists” list also includes Alyaksandr Khazeeu, Tatsiana Shchetko, Dzmitry Danilchyk, Uladzislau Sinkevich, Kanstantsin Boika, Yauhen Dorakhau, Siarhei Pakhomau, and Alyaksandr Voitka.
Belarusian authorities regularly use charges of extremism and terrorism to combat political opponents and dissent in general.
