TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian authorities on Friday convicted a famous dissident rock band, designating the band and its three members as extremist and sentencing them to two years of correctional labor. It was the latest in a yearslong crackdown on dissent that has engulfed this country of 9.5 million people. Nizkiz band members — Alyaksandr Ilyin, Siarhei Kulsha and Dzmitry Khalyaukin — were charged with “organizing and plotting actions grossly violating public order.” In 2020, when Belarus was rocked by mass protests that erupted after President Alexander Lukashenko won a sixth term in office in a disputed election, the band released “Rules,” a song that became the protests’ anthem. A music video for the song was filmed at one of the demonstrations against the country’s authoritarian leader. Lukashenko’s government unleashed a brutal crackdown in response to the protests, arresting more than 35,000 people and violently beating thousands. Many have been labeled as “extremists,” a designation frequently used against critics. The repressions have continued to this day. |
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese hope to carry over college momentum to the WNBABeijing confirms recovering tourism during New Year holidayXuzhou Museum (III)Biden returns to his Scranton roots to pitch tax planAn Algerian reporter says he was expelled from his country without explanationGuardiola reveals fresh Man City injury blow5th China Xizang Tourism and Culture Expo opens in LhasaBeijing International Film Festival to screen 47 sciCambodia plans to add 7 tangible, 3 intangible cultural properties to UNESCO's heritage listing: PMAncelotti calls for courage, personality vs. Man City