Иллюстративное фото: УВД Минского облисполкома
On May 19, searches were conducted in Belarus at the homes of the parents of two people connected to the independent Homiel-based media outlet Flagstok.
“One of the officers from GUBOPiK openly stated that such actions would continue as long as new publications appear on our platform”, Flagstok writes.
The editorial team considers the pressure on specific individuals to be another attempt to intimidate and exert pressure on independent media in Belarus.
The outlet also views the actions of the security forces in the context of recent years, during which Belarus, and Homiel region in particular, became involved in Russia’s military activity against Ukraine.
“It cannot be ruled out that amid a possible escalation of the situation, an attempt is being made to clear the information space in advance of independent and uncontrolled media”, Flagstok said.
The editorial team emphasised that a broad team has formed around the media outlet and that some of its founders have long operated independently from the publication.