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Crisis in Belarus

Over 50 Telegram channels and chats recognized as extremist in Belarus

Nexta was the first Telegram channel to be outlawed by Belarus’ Supreme Court as extremist on October 20, 2020

© Alexey Boldin/Shutterctock/FOTODOM

MINSK, May 24. /TASS/. More than 50 Telegram channels and chats have been recognized as extremist in Belarus, the country’s interior ministry told TASS on Monday.

"As of May 24, thirty Telegram channels and 22 Telegram chats have been recognized as extremist by Belarusian courts," it said.

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The ministry warned that reposting data from these channels and chats is punishable under Belarus’ law. "The storage of extremist material, as well as a subscription to the Telegram channel and chats recognized as extremist are subject to administrative liability," the ministry noted.

Nationwide demonstrations engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. According to the country’s authorities, protest activities were coordinated via Telegram channels and groups in messengers and social networks.

Nexta was the first Telegram channel to be outlawed by Belarus’ Supreme Court as extremist on October 20, 2020. Its founder Stepan Putilo and former editor-in-chief Roman Protasevich were faced with charges of organizing mass riots and inciting social hatred.

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Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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Good GDP growth results showed in first months of 2024 — Putin

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Dardanelles temporarily closed due to fire on board of dry cargo carrier

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Bank of Russia keeps key rate to prevent inflation from being double-digit, Putin says

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

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The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

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The unemployment rate went down in regions and settlements where it was historically high, the head of state stressed

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

Russia needs to boost production of goods based on domestic technologies — Putin

The President undescored that Russia did not plan to produce absolutely everything domestically

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

Better situation for peace in Ukraine, threats to Belarus: new statements by Lukashenko

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Russian cosmonauts begin first spacewalk in 2024

Oleg Kononenko and Nikolay Chub are expected to spend 6 hours and 52 minutes outside the orbital outpost

IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

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US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

According to the report, Israel is willing to acceprt the release of women, men over 50 years old and those seriously ill