A criminal case has been opened in Belarus over cooperation with the European Humanities University (EHU), which has been designated an “extremist organisation”. Security forces are carrying out searches and interrogations across the country, the Viasna human rights centre reported.
It is not known under which article of the Criminal Code the case has been initiated. It may be based on the article concerning participation in an “extremist formation”.
According to human rights defenders, searches and interrogations are being conducted against people who have any connection to EHU. Security officers are threatening current students with criminal prosecution unless they withdraw from the university.
Relatives of students are also receiving threats of criminal prosecution. Security officers reportedly say that family members will be detained as part of the criminal case if their children do not leave EHU.
Human rights defenders are aware of at least 12 people whose homes have been visited by security forces.
The Supreme Court of Belarus previously recognised the Vilnius-based European Humanities University and its structural subdivisions as an “extremist organisation”.
The Prosecutor General’s Office claims that the university prepares Belarusian youth “to implement Western scenarios for transforming the political system and promoting so-called democratic values and ‘alternative’ interpretations of historical, cultural and other events.”