Belarus Review by iSANS — February 10, 2025 

Russian “Shahed” drones continued to be detected entering Belarusian airspace. During the night of February 9, amid another Russian attack on Ukrainian territory, several drones crossed the border into Belarus. At least 12 drones were reported to have entered the country’s airspace. Explosions were reported, likely caused by drones or air defense operations, in the Mozyr district, as well as near Homiel and Khoiniki.

On February 3, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced the start of a combat readiness inspection of the Belarusian Armed Forces. The inspection allegedly aims to assess the readiness of mechanized units to carry out assigned tasks. Personnel are required to prepare military equipment and deploy to designated areas, including training grounds and unfamiliar terrain. The exercises will also test new tactics for the use of reconnaissance and strike drones in coordination with ground forces, with an emphasis on electronic warfare capabilities.

As part of the combat readiness inspection, the conscription of reservists began on February 3. According to media reports, reservists were called up in the Homyel and Mahilyow regions, as well as in Minsk. They are being sent to the 72^nd Joint Training Center in Barysaw.

On February 4, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated that it had voluntarily notified the participating states of the 2011 Vienna Document on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures about the sudden combat readiness inspection. The notification included details about the objectives, timeline, and number of participants in the inspection, as well as other information aimed at ensuring transparency in military activities within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) region.

On February 7, Chairman of the Belarusian State Military Industrial Committee Dzmitry Pantus announced that the country’s military-industrial complex is prepared for serial production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). “Our primary objective is to fulfill the state defense order for both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. Special emphasis will also be placed on serial drone production and its expansion,” Pantus stated.

Under the period of review, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, met with diplomats from nine Northern and Baltic countries to discuss support for Belarusian independent media and civil society. The meeting included representatives from Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden. A key topic was the freezing of U.S. assistance for independent media, with Tsikhanouskaya urging partner countries to consider financial support to fill in the gap. Other discussions covered the non-recognition of Belarus’ recent “elections” and Lukashenka’s status, ongoing repression and political prisoners, as well as democratic forces’ strategy for 2025, including potential negotiations on Ukraine. Additional topics included support for the Belarusian diaspora, restructuring volunteer networks, and future international initiatives for Belarusians.

Later on, Tsikhanouskaya was on a working visit to Gdansk, where she attended the opening of the Kosciuszko Forum. The event focused on democratic transformations in Belarus and the region and gathered prominent politicians, experts, and activists from over a dozen European countries. In her opening speech, Tsikhanouskaya stressed that achieving independence and democracy requires both internal resilience and international support, drawing parallels to Poland’s path to freedom. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that Belarus’s place is in Europe, not in Russia, and urged not to succumb to the blackmail of dictators. “Supporting Belarus is an investment in the future.” Meanwhile, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, participating in the forum, expressed support for Belarus and stated that “Belarus belongs to Europe”. Budrys emphasized that Belarus is occupied by dictatorship and Russia and must free itself from this to return to the European path. In his turn, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Jessika Rosenkrantz, stated that the situation in Belarus is “worse than ever” but emphasized that “Belarus should eventually become part of the European family.” While acknowledging that Belarus will not join the EU in the immediate future, she promised support for institutional and economic reforms, with clear alternatives for Belarus. She also pointed to the EU’s open doors for accession, as seen with Ukraine and Moldova. At the forum, other speakers, including Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, emphasized continued support for Belarusian initiatives. In addition, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olexandr Mischenko stated that Ukraine does not recognize the results of the recent elections in Belarus, which were held “under full administrative control and political persecution.” He added that this is part of Putin’s plan to establish a situation in Belarus similar to Russia’s. Mischenko emphasized that in the future, both Ukraine and Belarus should become EU members, as they are fighting for European values.

As her Office announced, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the Munich Security Conference on February 14-16. She will reportedly take part in the main program of the forum and hold meetings with heads of state and representatives of international organizations. Tsikhanouskaya will present the vision of Belarus’s democratic forces on ways to resolve the Belarusian crisis, including the release of political prisoners and preventing Belarusian troops from being involved in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. She is also visiting Brussels on February 10, where she will meet with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. The parties will discuss key issues of security and political situation in Belarus and the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Putin will do everything possible to involve Belarus in the war. He stated this during a conversation with journalists on February 5, adding that “all efforts must be made to stop him.” Also, it became known that the former Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus, Ihor Kyzym, is leaving his position of the Ambassador-at-Large for Belarus, retiring from the diplomatic service.

The European Union plans to increase its support for Belarusian and Russian journalists in exile. On February 3, the European Commission announced a call for applications to support Belarusian and Russian journalists working in the EU. The main goal of the initiative is to support the creation of a pan-European platform or network of media hubs to develop a pluralistic media environment. The European Commission plans to raise 3 million Euros for this initiative. “Special attention is given to ensuring that independent journalists and media in exile can continue creating and distributing content to their audience without editorial interference,” reads the press release.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov, in an interview with Belarus-1, confirmed that preliminary contacts had been established with the Polish side but made a harsh remark about his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski. “Do not stick your nose where it does not belong,” he said, commenting on Sikorski’s statements regarding the recent vote in Belarus. Earlier, Sikorski had made ironic remarks about the so-called presidential elections in Belarus. In turn, Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski responded to the statement by Ryzhenkov, writing on X that “Belarus knows the conditions for returning to dialogue.” Later on, during the opening of the Kosciuszko Forum in Gdansk, Sikorski stated that Poland will continue to support the aspirations of Belarusians for freedom, as well as civil society organisations.

The Latvian parliament proposed the idea of imposing travel restrictions on its residents to Belarus. Paliamentarians believe that Latvian tourists in Belarus face the risk of detention and recruitment by Belarusian special services, while Latvian authorities’ ability to provide assistance is limited. According to the Human Rights Center “Viasna,” currently, four Latvians are accused of politically motivated crimes in Belarus.

Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania joined the European electricity system on February 9 with a ceremony highlighting the historical significance of no longer relying on Russia for its electricity. The day before, all remaining transmission lines between them and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the sea, were switched off one by one. In 2024, the Baltic states notified Russia and Belarus that they will exit a 2001 agreement that has kept them connected to an electricity transmission system controlled by Moscow. For the Lukashenka regime, this means that the electricity produced in surplus by the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant can no longer be physically supplied to Europe.

“Viasna” Human Rights Center presented an analysis of the human rights situation in Belarus in January 2025. According to the available data, there are 1,244 political prisoners in the country, and their number increased by 18 in January. Among them, there are 158 women and 79 persons with serious health problems. The number of former political prisoners exceeds 2,500 persons. At least 11 political prisoners are held incommunicado from a few months to several years. In January, it became known about the release of several dozen political prisoners, including 31 by the way of pardon. “Viasna” has recorded at least 506 cases of politically motivated repression (detentions, searches, etc.) resulting from criminal and administrative prosecution in January. Human rights defenders continue to regularly identify, collect and systematize facts of the use of torture and prohibited forms of treatment. There were at least 175 politically motivated sentences and at least 295 politically motivated decisions in administrative cases during the month.

Political prisoner Maryja Kalesnikava was returned from a cell-type camera to a squad in the colony. This happened at the end of 2024. Maryja Kalesnikava was held in a cell-type room in women’s correctional colony No. 4 in Homel since March 10, 2023. She spent more than a year and a half in the incommunicado regime, without any contact with her family. She finally saw her father on November 12, 2024.

The trial of English teacher Alena Bodzyaka began in the Minsk City Court on January 31, 2025. She is accused of inciting hostility and calling for harm to Belarus. The sanctions under these charges provide for up to 12 years of imprisonment. The essence of Bodzyaka’s accusations is unknown. However, these charges are often used to persecute persons who have left comments on Telegram or social media. The present case is not an isolated one, but a part of the systemic repression against Belarusian teachers. The authorities have consistently tightened their control over the educational sphere, displacing independent teachers and replacing them with loyal staff.

The Minsk City Court sentenced Pavel Daneyka, an economist and administrative director of the BEROC research center, to 12 years of imprisonment in absentia. He was found guilty of conspiracy to seize power, creating or participating in an extremist group, as well as organizing and managing business activities without special permission. The court also fined him 546,000 Belarusian rubles (approximately 160 thousand Euro). According to the prosecution, Daneyka joined the Coordination Council in August 2020 and “as a member of it, took assertive actions to achieve the goals of an unconstitutional seizure of state power.”

The work of the Commission on Return of those who left Belarus will continue, said Prosecutor General Andrei Shved, who directs its work. Initially, the functioning of the Commission was approved until the end of 2024. Shved commented that the Commission has already reviewed 241 applications, and 19 persons have already returned to Belarus with its assistance. Last year, the powers of the Commission were expanded. It began to review the cases of those who were in custody. “We considered applications from individuals who were convicted of extremist crimes related to the events of 2020. We have received 230 such applications and gave a positive conclusion on 202 of them. The Head of State agreed with us, and the relevant acts of pardon were signed by him. These people were released. In 28 cases we came to a conclusion that persons, who contacted us, could not be granted amnesty,” said Andrei Shved. As for the consideration of applications from those wishing to return to Belarus, there will be more such applications, as the statute of limitations on the events of 2020 is expiring, Shved noted. Human rights activists are aware of cases where, despite “agreements” with the authorities, criminal cases have been initiated against those who have returned to Belarus.

On February 4, the Minsk City Court began in absentia consideration of the case of former employees of the TUT.by portal. The trial will be held behind closed doors. Editor Volha Loika, journalist Alena Talkacheva and legal adviser Katseryna Tkachenka were accused of calling for sanctions, inciting hostility, tax evasion and gross violation of public order. The largest non-governmental Internet portal in Belarus, TUT by, was closed down by the authorities in May 2021, and some of its leaders were detained, tried and convicted on politically motivated grounds. Part of the team that remained at large left the country.

On February 5, the head of the BYSOL foundation, Andrei Stryzhak, announced increased checks on Belarusians who cross the border to leave the country. The main “innovation” is that inspections now take place on the way out of the country, in addition to scrupulous checks on the way into the Belarus. Security forces check phones and laptops. “You should pay attention to the condition of your phone. Check the subscriptions, saved photos, if it was synchronized with the “cloud”,” Stryzhak advised, – “My strong recommendation is to cross the border with some neutral devices, with phones that don’t contain anything like that at all. Because the security forces have good enough tools to connect to “cloud” storage and recover deleted files and data. It’s very unsafe.” Stryzhak added that additional questions may be asked during the “conversation” at the border. For example, security officers may ask you what kind of visa you have, how you got it, and who helped you. BYSOL does not yet have a complete picture of who exactly is being stopped for inspections. Perhaps the security forces target “the same groups that they were interested in while checking those entering the country.” In this case, Belarusians who participated in protests in 2020 and were involved in “political” cases, can be in the “Besporyadki” database, as well as those who had their homes searched, may be subjected to in-depth checks and “conversations”. Close attention is also paid to Ukrainians who live in Belarus and their relatives. Another category that has recently become of interest to the KGB officers on duty at the border is Belarusians who have not been to the country for a long time and decided to visit it.

On February 6, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya reported on her Telegram channel that she has not received any news from her husband, political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanousky, for 700 days. “The last time I heard my husband’s voice was more than four years ago. I had only five minutes to support him, tell him about the children, and ask about his health. I didn’t know then that we wouldn’t be allowed to talk anymore. I often remember that conversation and think about what else I could have said,” she said. “I do not know if he receives birthday greetings, whether he has seen the postcards drawn by his daughter. I don’t know when I’ll be able to hear his voice again. <…> We have been living in this anxiety for several years,” Tsikhanouskaya wrote. On December 14, 2021, Siarhei Tsikhanousky was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment. On February 27, 2023, he was sentenced to another one and a half years of imprisonment for “malicious disobedience to the requirements of the correctional institution administration”. Since March 9, 2023, he has been held incommunicado. According to human rights activists, other political prisoners held incommunicado are Maksim Znak (since February 8, 2023), Mikalai Statkevich (since February 10, 2023), Uladzimir Kniga (since September 5, 2023), Mikalai Bankou (since December 2023), Andrei Navitski (since April 2024), Aliaksandr Aranovich (since June 6, 2024), Aliaksandr Frantskevich (since October 2024).

One hundred and fifty people contacted the BYSOL foundation hotline for help after the news about the hacking of the Belaruski Hajun monitoring project chatbot on February 5. Anton Matolka, the founder of the Belaruski Hajun project, noted that people who sent information to chatbot can be identified and are under threat. He advised those who use their Telegram account for a long time to delete it and create a new one. Last week, telegram channels affiliated with the Belarusian security forces began spreading information about the leak and threatening those who sent information to Belaruski Hajun. The BYSOL foundation provides advise regarding to evacuation from Belarus to those at risk of detention. On February 7, Belaruski Hajun announced the suspension of its work after on February 7, after the security forces had reported about the first detainee, who allegedly wrote to the bot.

The KGB added comedian Slava Kamissarenka to the list of “terrorists”. At the end of December 2024, in a trial in absentia he was found guilty of slander, insulting Lukashenka, and inciting hostility, and sentenced to six years of imprisonment.

The brother and father of political emigrant Mikalai Stagurski were detained in Homel. The detention of Dmitri, Mikalai’s brother, became known on February 4. He was taken to the police station for “extremist” subscriptions. On February 5, two trials were held in the Homel District Court. The first one dealt with an administrative case against Dmitri. The second one — against Vasil Stagursky, the father of Mikalai and Dmitri. The court’s decisions are unknown.

Former political prisoner who had recently left Belarus after fully serving her several prison terms, Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, spoke about the four years she spent in the colony. She called the conditions of detention in colony No. 24 torture. According to her calculations, in 2023 she was only able to go outside of colony buildings for eight days. She was sent to a punishment cell and a cell-type room, the regime of detention in which does not involve outdoor walks, all the time. Other female political prisoners, Alena Hnauk, Volha Mayorava, Victoryja Kulsha, were kept in the same terrible conditions. “We have to think about those who stayed in this knacker’s yard,” Palina said. As for participating in the propaganda interview that was recorded with her in the colony, she stressed that she was forced to do it. “You have to understand that this interview was done with a gun to my head,” she said. “It’s all disgusting and scary.” At a certain point, she thought she would never get out, she said, noting that the time stopped for her in August 2020, when she was imprisoned.

Political prisoner Eduard Babaryka will be tried once again for alleged “malicious disobedience to the colony administration”. He has been in custody for more than four and a half years, but he continues to receive additional sentences. His first sentence was eight years of imprisonment in high-security colony. In July 2024, another year and a half was added to this term on charges of malicious disobedience to the colony administration. To serve his sentence, he was transferred to Valkavysk colony No. 11, where in less than six months a new case was opened against him again under the same charge. The trial will take place on February 20 in the Valkavysk district court. In the case of a new conviction, his sentence may be extended by another two years.

Dzmitry Paznyakou, an ex-lecturer at the military faculty of Belarusian State University, who was sentenced in November 2023 to 19 years of imprisonment for high treason, may be transferred to prison regime. The trial to replace the punishment regime is scheduled for February 14 in Navapalotsk.
Viktar Varabyou, a former customs officer, is accused of high treason, as well as abuse of power or official authority, facilitating extremist activities, participating in an extremist formation, and gross violation of public order. The trial will begin on February 14. It will be held in the Minsk City Court behind closed doors. Varabyou faces up to 20 years of imprisonment.

On January 31, the International Accountability Platform for Belarus submitted evidence and legal analyses to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to inform its preliminary examination into whether it has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes against humanity, including deportation, persecution, and other inhumane acts, committed by Belarusian senior officials since 1 May 2020.

On February 4, members of the European Parliament issued a statement in connection with the release of Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk. The statement was initiated by David McAlister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Chair of the Bureau of the Delegation for Relations with Belarus, and Helmut Brandstätter, Committee on Foreign Affairs standing rapporteur on Belarus. “We received with great relief the information about the release of a prominent Belarusian opposition figure Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, activist with the civil campaign European Belarus”, the statement said. It noted that on 19 January 2024, following a complaint filed by her husband Andrei Sharenda against Belarus on discrimination and unlawful incarceration, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women took unprecedented action. It requested Belarus to “take urgent measures to provide comprehensive and appropriate medical care to Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, and to ensure that her life, physical and mental integrity are safeguarded”, setting a landmark precedent in the Committee’s case law against Belarus. The statement emphasized serious concerns about thousands of Belarusians imprisoned on political grounds who are being kept in horrendous conditions, facing torture, denial of medical care, and restricted contact with family members and lawyers. MEPs called on the EU and its member states to support political prisoners and their families and to request their immediate and unconditional release at every opportunity; simplify visa procedures for Belarusians fleeing the regime. They urged the EU and its partners to continue exerting pressure on the regime by broadening and strengthening sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for repression in Belarus; targeting those responsible for Belarus’s participation in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; specifically addressing the issue of forced labor of political prisoners.

On February 7, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women concluded its review of Belarus’ ninth periodic report. It recognized the country’s efforts to combat human trafficking and expressed serious concern about the criminalization of HIV transmission and repression of civil society organizations. Experts questioned the Government’s justification for the recent closure of well-known non-governmental organizations, many of which were involved in the protection of human rights. The Committee’s concluding observations on the report of Belarus will be published at the end of its 90^th session on February 21.

During the period under review, representatives of the Lukashenka regime continued to discuss potential global developments following Donald Trump’s inauguration. Most remain cautious in their forecasts, and fewer believe that the 47^th U.S. president will have a positive impact on U.S. – Russia and U.S. – Belarus relations. On February 3, in her article “Frozen ‘Asset’ of Color Revolutions” for SB. Belarus Today, propagandist Liudmila Hladkaya warned against “clapping one’s hands” over Trump dismantling the “snake nest known as USAID,” arguing that his administration would continue “funding color revolutions and hybrid attacks” — just without the “costly intermediaries.” Pro-regime expert Aliaksandr Shpakouski likened Trump’s actions to Roosevelt’s “big stick policy” in his Telegram channel. Meanwhile, his colleague and ally Aliaksei Dzermant claimed on February 5 that Trump had “essentially endorsed the genocide of Palestinians and their total expulsion from Gaza.” He urged his audience to recognize that “Trumpism is the new Hitlerism.” Building on the topic of USAID’s shutdown, Dzermant, like Hladkaya, argued that there was little reason for optimism. He speculated that “a new, more effective organization with different objectives” would emerge, potentially one that would “support and promote right-wing nationalism across Eurasia — those who are ideologically closer to Trump and Musk.” With bitter irony, he predicted that “the the Le Pens and the AfD, as well as ‘Russian Trumpists,’ will be lining up to swear allegiance to the American president.” In her aforementioned article, Hladkaya alleged that USAID is linked to “criminal groups operating in Ukraine” that supposedly smuggle children to the UK, where they “fall into the hands of pedophiles — high-ranking members of the British establishment. On February 6, pro-regime politician Aleh Ramanau declared on ONT TV that USAID is a “branch of the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies.” He claimed: “Literally any process in a society of interest to them is important. Abandoning this force, which collects and extracts information from adversary states, is simply not an option — it would be a crime for them. Most likely, there will be a reformatting, an altered facade. But I have no doubt that the influence they exerted on their opponents will continue by all means possible.”

On February 9, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, called Radio Free Europe and Voice of America “relics of the past and havens for leftist activists.” Trump ally Elon Musk even suggested shutting them down. This news thrilled Russian and Belarusian propagandists. For example, the social media team of the First Informational TV channel celebrated, calling it: “The heirs of Goebbels are about to be disbanded.”

In the context of Trump’s presidency, the fate of another leader — Volodymyr Zelenskyy — was also a topic of discussion by Lukashenka’s propagandists. On February 4, Aliaksei Bialiayeu, dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Belarusian State University, stated on SB TV that the West was “preparing to openly throw Zelensky under the bus” because he had become “an inconvenient figure.” “Today, Zelenskyy is obstructing the start of the negotiation process on Ukraine. And negotiations are urgently needed — because if they don’t start, Russia’s military successes could lead to Ukraine ceasing to exist as a state altogether,” Bialiayeu claimed.  In his turn, propagandist Andrei Mukavozchyk wrote: “First, the ‘Servants of the People’ drafted a ‘Victory Plan,’ explicitly stating that Ukraine possesses rare earth metals and is ready to hand them over. This provision was prepared even before the U.S. elections — specifically for Trump. The bait is tempting: according to Forbes, as of 2023, the total value of Ukraine’s mineral resources is nearly USD 15 trillion. Later, in parallel, a ‘100-year agreement’ was signed with the UK. Its classified clauses promised all the juiciest concessions to the British.” Mukavozchyk asserted that over 70% of these reserves are located in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and alleged that Zelenskyy’s administration — having “sold out the motherland” — was betting on a full-scale war between NATO and Russia.

Meanwhile, the anonymous Telegram channel Yellow Plums, reportedly linked to Belarusian security forces, responded to Zelenskyy’s statement that Putin aims to drag Belarus into the war and provoke Poland and the Baltic states. The channel’s authors argued that Zelenskyy “doesn’t want peace” and is merely stalling for time, and that since he once again mentioned Belarus, it means he is “preparing yet another provocation.” The topic of Ukraine-Belarus relations was also touched upon by Ivan Eismant, head of the Belarusian state broadcasting company. On SB TV, he lashed out at Ukraine and neighboring countries for not recognizing the so-called Belarusian presidential elections: “The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry refused to recognize our elections. Clowns — sorry for the non-political expression, but clowns. The most blatant dictatorship!” He also attacked Polish President Andrzej Duda, calling him “a man with zero approval rating.” “The people [of Poland] can’t stand him. Just like they can’t stand his opponents either. So, instead of dealing with their own problems—they have plenty — they resort to fearmongering about Belarus to cling to power.”

Yury Vaskrasenski, a regime representative and former opposition activist, revealed on propagandist Ryhor Azaronak’s livestream that Minsk and Washington were allegedly negotiating the release of U.S. citizens and Radio Free Europe journalists in exchange for the return of a U.S. ambassador to Belarus. He openly admitted that political prisoners were a bargaining chip for the Lukashenka regime: “You want the key. You’ve been told a hundred times where it is. Let me spell it out again: until all sanctions are lifted, airspace is reopened, and border crossings are restored, none of them — those 20-30 ringleaders — will be freed. Period. You want to make peace? You want to get them out? You want to do something useful? Beg your bosses to lift sanctions on our enterprises. That’s it. Come here, lift sanctions, reopen the skies and checkpoints — we’ll release them all. Take them wherever you want. But not here.”

Against the backdrop of reports that EU officials are working on establishing an international tribunal for Vladimir Putin for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, Minskaya Prauda propagandist Dziyana Shybkouskaya mocked European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas in her Telegram channel, calling her a “madwoman” who voiced “the wet dream of all Europeans.” “They write as if ‘Drang nach Osten’ has already happened and ended successfully. We’ve seen them divvy up the bear’s skin many times before. Today, they’ve hit a new low — these ‘hunters’ are carving up the bear while he’s busy stripping them of their underwear.”

On January 7, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus reacted to a report that the Latvian Seimas supported the consideration of a bill banning Belarusian and Russian nationals from buying real estate, comparing it to the discrimination of the Jewish population by the Nazis: “In the 20th century, Europe already had the experience of banning people on the basis of nationality from owning real estate, and also from attending universities, theaters and cinemas, public parks, baths and swimming pools, buy newspapers, ride public transport. A very extensive list. We remember well how it all ended.” The message, which was probably written by Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Hlaz, also called on compatriots to return to their homeland, where there is a “place of strength and security,” and purchase apartments and houses there. It is worth noting that for some citizens of the Republic of Belarus, returning home may end up in prison.-for participating in protests in the past, subscribing to so-called “extremist” resources, etc.