Moscow, July 16, (dpa/GNA) – Authorities in Belarus have continued the wave of police raids on non-governmental organizations and independent media in the country as several journalists were detained on Friday.
The homes of Belsat employees, an opposition television station, were searched, according to the Viasna Human Rights Centre. The Svoboda radio station was also raided.
On Wednesday, authorities controlled by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko had already raided Viasna’s offices. Among others, the centre’s internationally-known director, Ales Bialiatski, was arrested.
Belarusian opposition activists and also the Foreign Office in Berlin condemned the raids.
Lukashenko has repeatedly said that nongovernmental organizations, independent media and human rights activists are a danger to Belarus.
The politician, who is regularly described as Europe’s last dictator, called such foreign-funded organizations “terrorists” during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Tuesday.
He also reiterated his goal of continuing to crack down on his opponents regardless of EU and US sanctions. In doing so, he praised Putin for his support.
GNA