Jarosław Iwaniuk believes he is sought by the Belarusian KGB under 'extremism' laws used to stifle dissent A Polish journalist who publishes books on Belarus has been placed on Russia's wanted list. Jarosław Iwaniuk, who lives in the northeastern Podlasie province and works for a local branch of public broadcaster Polish Radio, is among the best-known members of Poland's Belarusian minority. In addition to journalism, Iwaniuk runs the 'Kamunikat' online Belarusian-language library and publishing platform. He believes this venture has caused him to fall foul of the Minsk regime and resulted in him being placed in Russia's database of wanted persons. Iwaniuk's wanted listing will likely prevent him from traveling to Belarus, Russia and other nations that are members of the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as to "several Asian countries," he told the Polish Radio Białystok station. Although the Russian database entry does not specify a reason for his wanted status, Iwaniuk attributes it to accusations of 'extremism' leveled at him by the Belarusian KGB. Stifling dissent In March, the secret services in Minsk, a close political ally of Moscow, accused a number of independent foreign Belarusian publishers of "extremist activity." Laws aimed at tackling alleged 'political extremism' have been used extensively by both Moscow and Minsk to stifle dissent and silence opposition. Iwaniuk said that, as a Polish citizen, he does not fear the Minsk authorities, though he believes he may face a trial in absentia. But he said there was no legal precedent as to what that would mean in practice.
Jarosław Iwaniuk, a member of Poland's Belarusian minority, has been accused by the Minsk regime of 'extremism' (TVP 3 Białystok)
