Belarus Continues Crackdown On Opposition Activists Fleeing Abroad

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya displays a flag symbolizing the Belarus opposition as she delivers her speech at the European Parliament, on Sept. 13, 2023 in Stras

Authorities in Belarus have conducted raids and seized property belonging to 104 opposition activists who have fled the country as part of an ongoing crackdown on dissent. The crackdown, initiated by Belarus' authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko in August 2020, followed mass protests against his disputed reelection that were deemed rigged by the opposition and the West.

Since then, over 35,000 people have been arrested, with reports of thousands being subjected to brutal treatment while in custody. Additionally, dozens of independent news organizations and rights groups have been forcibly shut down, and journalists have been imprisoned.

As a result of the crackdown, approximately 500,000 Belarusians have fled the country, seeking refuge abroad. This year, Belarusian authorities have intensified efforts to target those abroad who advocate for tougher sanctions against the regime.

The Belarus Investigative Committee announced that the recent raids and property seizures were aimed at activists who have criticized the Belarusian authorities from overseas and participated in rallies commemorating Belarus' independence. The activists are facing criminal charges of “forming an extremist group” and “discrediting Belarus,” offenses that carry potential prison sentences of up to seven years.

Crackdown initiated by President Lukashenko in response to disputed reelection protests.

Belarus conducts raids and seizes property of 104 opposition activists who fled.

Over 35,000 arrests and reports of brutal treatment of detainees.

According to officials, participants of the rallies held in various countries on March 25 to mark Belarus' declaration of independence in 1918 have been identified. The Investigative Committee labeled the activists as “fugitive puppets” who are allegedly advocating for economic and political pressure on Belarus.

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled Belarus in 2020, condemned the raids and property seizures as a form of retaliation by the authorities against Belarusians who continue to resist the dictatorship. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the regime's attempts to instill fear not only within Belarus but also among Belarusians living abroad, drawing parallels to the repressive tactics reminiscent of past eras.

Belarus' leading rights group, Viasna, has reported nearly 1,400 political prisoners in the country, including its founder Ales Bialiatski, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2022.