In a rare move, Belarus has initiated a criminal case over charges related to denying genocide against the Belarusian people. The announcement came through the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Telegram, marking a significant development in the country’s approach to crimes borne of misinformation and denial. The case reflects authorities’ intent to confront narratives that minimize or distort the brutal history of World War II and the suffering endured by Belarusians under occupation.
According to the ministry, personnel from the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption (GUBOPiK) were detained for 54 hours with the support of SOBR units from the internal troops. The individual implicated in Minsk, a former resident, is accused of creating and running a social media group in 2020 that circulated content aimed at destabilizing the nation’s constitutional order. The posts were described as provocative materials intended to provoke public unrest and to influence political developments in the country.
Officials assert that the posts also included statements denying the genocide committed against Belarusians by German forces during the Great Patriotic War. In these messages, the author allegedly rehabilitated fascist figures and attributed wartime crimes to Soviet citizens who fought to defend their homeland. The ministry underscored that such material sought to degrade the memory of war victims and the heroes who resisted the Nazi invasion, a move the state deems an assault on national memory and moral heritage.
As stated by the authorities, the detainee faces charges not only for denying genocide against the Belarusian people but also for organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order, insulting the president, and rehabilitating Nazism. The case is being pursued under provisions that criminalize Holocaust and wartime denial, as well as activities that threaten public safety and state authority. The proceedings illustrate a broader legal framework aimed at curbing propaganda that could undermine social cohesion or challenge the legitimacy of national institutions.
In related remarks, President Alexander Lukashenko has warned that Nazism was once again approaching the borders of Belarus, a statement that underscores the government’s emphasis on vigilance against extremist ideologies. The claim appears to frame the case within a larger national narrative about safeguarding sovereignty and preserving the memory of wartime sacrifices. Observers note that the authorities’ response signals a commitment to prosecuting content that could inflame historical resentments or distort verified history, even when it appears on private or semi-private online platforms. The incident thus sits at the intersection of criminal law, historical memory, and the evolving role of social media in modern Belarusian politics.