In Belarus, Telegram channel NEXTA-Live, which actively covers mass protests against Alexander Lukashenko, was banned for ‘extremism’.
The decision was made by the Supreme Court of Belarus.
The information posted on the Telegram channel, as well as its logo, are now recognized as "extremist materials". The channel's owners are now accused of the organization and promotion of "mass riots." At the same time, Belarus has prohibited access to NEXTA-Live in its territory.
The press service of the Supreme Court added that the subscribers of NEXTA will be punished for "distribution of extremist materials".
“As court representatives, we cannot assess the legal consequences of certain actions. However, in general practice, distribution is an active action. Therefore, If you are subscribed to the NEXTA channel and share its posts, you become a distributor of extremist materials. Be careful with what you share," the court clarified.
Currently, NEXTA has 900 thousand subscribers, while NEXTA-Live has an audience of 2 million people.
It's worth noting that NEXTA Live has been already renamed to Hexta Live.
According to Apostrophe, Belarusian opposition leader and ex-presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovska has been declared internationally wanted by the Belarusian authorities "for promoting actions that threaten national security".