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Statute · Belarus

Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus

extremist formation

The Detained has documented 209 cases in Belarus in which this article was charged. 158 ended in a prison sentence, with a median of 5 years and the longest at 25 years. Torture or ill-treatment was reported in 19 of them.

Documented cases
209
Prison sentences
158
Median sentence
5 years
Longest sentence
25 years
Torture reported
19

Article 361-1 punishes creating or leading an "extremist formation" (Part 1: three to seven years; Part 3, with aggravating features, up to ten) and participating in one (Part 2: two to six years). It was added by the 2021 amendments alongside 361-4. As with that article, the offence is defined by the register: an "extremist formation" is whatever the Interior Ministry or KGB has designated, and the list includes news outlets, Telegram channels, mutual-aid funds, workers' strike committees and diaspora associations.

In the documented caseload "participation" has meant being an administrator or moderator of a listed chat, working for a listed media outlet, or being named as a member of a listed initiative in a police statement. Creation and leadership charges are brought, often in absentia, against editors, activists and politicians abroad, and in person against those who returned or were extradited. The article is what converts the 2020 opposition's organizations into criminal enterprises retroactively.

In force since 14 Jun 2021

Introduced by the 2021 amendments to the Criminal Code. Prosecutions under it begin in 2021.

2 arrests before 2021 · 183 arrests since 2021

Arrests by year

2020
2
2021
32
2022
24
2023
32
2024
72
2025
22
2026
1
n/a24 · arrest date not published

Charged together with

All documented cases · 209

NameArrestedSentencePlace of arrest
Zmicer Kolas17 Feb 2026no sentence recordedMinsk, Minsk Region
Yuryi Trashchynski15 Nov 20252 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Julija Kavalenka18 Oct 2025no sentence recordedMinsk region, Belarus
Anastasija Kavalenka18 Oct 2025no sentence recordedMinsk region, Belarus
Volha Stroeva3 Sept 20255 yearsHomel, Homel Region
Ihar Kaluyeu10 Aug 2025no sentence recorded
Aleh Stefanovich1 Aug 2025no sentence recordedMinsk, Minsk region
Arciom Sabaleuski30 Jul 20252 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Jahor Buzhylau24 Jul 20254 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Aleh Kineu9 Jul 2025no sentence recorded
Uladzimir Mahronau1 Jul 2025no sentence recordedBelarus
Cina Palynskaja20 May 20252 yearsPolotsk, Vitebsk region
Marharyta Rabinovich20 May 20252 yearsVitebsk, Belarus
Vasil Hračykha1 May 20255 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Iryna Szumeika6 Apr 20254 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Alena Rudaya9 Mar 2025no sentence recorded
Jauhen Szljakhcionak9 Mar 20254 yearsVawkavysk, Belarus
Taccjana Mahnusava1 Feb 20253 yearsHomel, Homel region
Aleh Supruniuk
Journalist
22 Jan 20253 years
Uladzimir Dzharayeu14 Jan 2025no sentence recorded
Andrei Kreidzich11 Jan 20253 years 6 months
Mikita Hrusheuski10 Jan 20253 years
Tsimafei Karatkevich2 Jan 2025no sentence recorded
Sjarhei Cimaszenka27 Dec 202412 yearsZhylychavy, Mahilyow region
Dzmitry Hryshkevich18 Dec 20243 years
Aliaksei Kubrakou10 Dec 2024no sentence recorded
Maksim Ralko18 Nov 202410 yearsBrest, Brest region
Vasil Verameiczyk14 Nov 202413 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Ivan Zamjacin13 Nov 20247 yearsBrest, Brest region
Volha Chukarava11 Nov 20244 years
Valery Zhukau11 Nov 2024no sentence recorded
Volha Nikalaeva9 Nov 20243 yearsBaranavichy, Brest region
Tatsiana Minets8 Nov 20242 years
Alesia Viaroukina1 Nov 20242 yearsHomieĺ, Homieĺ voblast
Natallja Daronina31 Oct 20248 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Iryna Kiszkurna31 Oct 20242 yearsHomel, Homel Region
Iryna Lebedz31 Oct 2024no sentence recordedHomieĺ, Homieĺ voblast
Liudmila Ksiandzova31 Oct 2024no sentence recordedHomieĺ, Homieĺ voblast
Hanna Kmit31 Oct 20242 yearsHomel, Homel region
Maryia Dzeichyk31 Oct 2024no sentence recordedHomieĺ, Homieĺ voblast
Vera Kananenka31 Oct 2024no sentence recordedHomieĺ, Homieĺ voblast
Aliaksandr Lebedz31 Oct 2024no sentence recordedHrodna, Hrodna voblast
Natallja Pupkevicz31 Oct 20242 yearsSmorgon, Grodno region
Sviatlana Kashkel31 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Pavel Ksiandzou31 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Volha Miranenka31 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Maret Valiuk31 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Anastasiya Harchakova31 Oct 20242 yearsHomieĺ, Homieĺ voblast
Anastasiya Sikirytskaya31 Oct 20242 years
Volha Matusevich31 Oct 2024no sentence recordedHomieĺ, Homieĺ voblast
Dzijana Haurylava30 Oct 20249 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Taccjana Palubok29 Oct 20242 yearsNavahrudak, Grodno region
Alena Rybak27 Oct 2024no sentence recordedBelarus
Arciom Kukharonak27 Oct 20247 yearsSmilavichy, Cherven district
Volha Asipczyk26 Oct 20248 yearsMinsk, Minsk Region
Sjarhei Czabocka23 Oct 20243 yearsGrodno, Grodno region
Ihar Khinevicz19 Oct 20242 yearsNavahradak, Grodno Region
Volha Aljaszkevicz19 Oct 20242 yearsNavahradak, Grodno region
Alena Zhukava15 Oct 20242 yearsVawkavysk, Grodno region
Vital Tsynkel15 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Viktar Turczenik15 Oct 20242 yearsVawkavysk, Grodno region
Iryna Dabrynovich15 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Illia Khodas15 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Natallia Krauchuk15 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Liudmila Shrubok15 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Liliya Yuruts15 Oct 2024no sentence recorded
Volha Prakopczyk15 Oct 20242 yearsVawkavysk, Grodno Region
Jana Caruk9 Oct 20244 yearsHomel, Belarus
Maryna Petrazhytskaya9 Oct 20242 years
Jahor Cjuszkevicz10 Sept 20246 yearsBrest, Brest region
Ihar Kuzauka9 Sept 2024no sentence recorded
Aliaksandr Yakushkou9 Sept 20242 years
Liubou Drahel5 Sept 20243 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Yauhen Boika1 Sept 20245 yearsMahilyow, Mahilyow Region
Uladzimir Stryzhycz1 Sept 20242 yearsHantsavichy, Brest region
Vital Kascecki9 Aug 20245 yearsBelarus
Aljaksandr Darahakupec9 Aug 20245 yearsIvanava, Brest region
Sjarhei Cikhanau9 Aug 202411 yearsMahilyow, Mahilyow region
Aljaksei Czaresznjau1 Jul 2024no sentence recordedMinsk Region
Czeslau Herasimovicz24 Jun 20245 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Arciom Licevich9 Jun 2024no sentence recordedMinsk, Minsk Region
Palina Pitkevicz
Journalist
6 Jun 20243 yearsMinsk, Minsk Region
Aliaksandr Sudnikovich27 May 2024no sentence recorded
Yauhen Scjapanau19 May 2024no sentence recordedVitebsk, Vitebsk region
Iosif Duleba7 May 20244 yearsVitebsk, Vitebsk region
Uladzimir Szpak30 Apr 20247 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Pavel Aljakseeu9 Apr 20245 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Andrei Sitnikau2 Apr 20244 years
Andrei Mireiczyk9 Mar 20247 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Maksim Khvaszczynski26 Feb 20247 yearsBabruysk, Mogilev Region
Aljaksei Kljuszniczenka22 Feb 20246 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Aliaksandr Zalatarevich1 Feb 2024no sentence recorded
Aljaksandr Kudrevicz7 Jan 202415 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Yauhen Hlushkou
Journalist
5 Jan 20243 yearsMahilyow, Mahilyow region
Aliaksandr Marchanka4 Jan 20243 years
Ales Sabaleuski
Journalist
12 Dec 20234 yearsMahilyow, Belarus
Aleh Aliaksandravich Dzehcjarenka29 Nov 20238 yearsHomel, Homel region
Yury Rukshta1 Nov 20233 yearsGrodno, Grodno region
Vital Maksimchuk18 Oct 20235 years
Pavel Lukaszevicz20 Sept 20234 yearsLida, Grodno region
Jauhen Kladou30 Aug 20231 yearBaranavichy, Brest Region
Mikhail Lapunou8 Aug 20235 yearsHomel, Homel Region
Anton Shibut7 Jul 20235 years
Aljaksandr Paliuka27 Jun 20237 yearsLuninets, Brest region
Ivan Sukhamerau15 Jun 202310 yearsPetrykaw, Homel region
Jauhen Hormasz5 Jun 20232 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Yauhen Peljakhaty1 Jun 2023no sentence recordedBrest, Brest region
Aljaksandr Kulikou1 Jun 20236 yearsMahilyow, Mahilyow region
Jauhen Cikhanau19 May 20235 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Andrei Burak11 May 20235 yearsBelarus
Aleh Yermakovich11 May 2023no sentence recorded
Uladzimir Fishman4 May 2023no sentence recorded
Dzmitryi Hudzeeu8 Apr 20239 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Uladzimir Kamennau31 Mar 2023no sentence recordedHomel, Homel region
Dmitry Papkov31 Mar 2023no sentence recorded
Aljaksei Kavaliou30 Mar 20237 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Andrei Parotnikau19 Mar 202310 yearsMoscow, Russia
Aljaksandr Szarabeika10 Mar 20236 yearsHlybokaye, Belarus
Dzjanis Cybulski9 Mar 20235 yearsMinsk
Aleh Syczou3 Mar 20239 yearsCharciazh, Minsk region
Dzjanis Sakalou3 Mar 202313 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Maksim Lapacin3 Mar 20238 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Andrei Stsiapurka3 Mar 2023no sentence recorded
Aljaksandra Kasko9 Feb 202310 yearsHrodna, Hrodna region
Dzmitry Zahalavets20 Jan 20233 years 6 months
Andrei Prymaka15 Jan 20234 years
Siarhei Leaniuk9 Jan 20235 yearsг. Минск
Jauhen Verkhavodkin22 Dec 20227 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Yauhen Burlo28 Oct 20228 yearsunknown, Belarus
Andrei Jaremczyk28 Oct 20227 yearsBelarus
Dzmitryi Halavach28 Oct 20229 yearsHomel, Homel region
Andrei Famin
Journalist
26 Oct 20227 yearsMinsk, Minsk
Mikalai Vasilevich17 Oct 20229 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Mikalai Kuliashou4 Sept 20225 years
Vjaczaslau Pancjuszenka3 Sept 20225 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Dzjanis Varozau3 Sept 20225 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Maksim Beljanovicz31 Aug 20228 yearsBabruysk, Mahilyow Region
Maksim Paulavich Sobaleu1 Aug 20224 yearsVitebsk, Vitebsk region
Aljaksandr Sumar27 Jul 20229 yearsLuninets, Brest Region
Ivan Asipovich5 Jun 2022no sentence recordedMinsk, Minsk Region
Aljaksandr Ljubjanczuk26 May 20223 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Vadzim Vasileu25 May 202212 yearsVitebsk, Belarus
Vital Brahinec23 May 20228 yearsMinsk region, Belarus
Vjaczaslau Areszka19 Apr 20228 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Viktar Dzmitryevich Novik15 Apr 202213 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Viachaslau Kurylchyk13 Apr 20226 years
Dzmitryi Ravich4 Mar 202222 yearsSvetlahorsk, Homel region
Aleh Malczanau4 Mar 202221 yearsSvetlahorsk, Gomel region
Dzjanis Dzikun4 Mar 202225 yearsSvetlahorsk, Gomel region
Anastasia Kukhta17 Feb 20225 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Aleh Kanavalau10 Jan 20225 yearsHomel, Homel region
Yauhen Klimau30 Dec 20215 yearsNavapolatsk, Vitebsk region
Alena Lazarchyk30 Dec 20219 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Stanislau Kuzmicki23 Dec 202115 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Dzjanis Filončyk2 Dec 20219 yearsMinsk region, Belarus
Pavel Belavus15 Nov 202113 yearsMinsk, Minsk Region
Jana Pinczuk1 Nov 202112 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Dzianis Salmanovich4 Oct 202110 yearsBelarus
Aljaksandr Kapszul24 Sept 202115 yearsRussia/Belarus
Ihar Mintc23 Sept 202112 yearsNavapolatsk, Vitebsk region
Hanna Ablab22 Sept 202111 yearsGomel, Gomel region
Sjarhei Dzjuba22 Sept 202112 yearsHomel, Homel region
Sjarhei Szamecka21 Sept 202112 yearsHomel, Homel region
Valjancin Ceranevicz20 Sept 202112 yearsGrodno, Grodno region
Sjarhei Szelest20 Sept 202114 yearsGrodno, Grodno Region
Aljaksandr Hasznikau18 Sept 202114 yearsZhlobin, Gomel region
Uladzimir Zhurauka18 Sept 202115 yearsHomel, Homel region
Andrei Paheryla17 Sept 202114 yearsHomyel, Homyel region
Maryja Kalesnikava6 Sept 202111 yearsHomieĺ
Sjarhei Sakalou20 Aug 202114 yearsLida, Grodno region
Dzmitryi Navazhylau
Journalist
18 Aug 20216 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Mikalai Roi16 Aug 202112 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Dzmitryi Nevjarkevicz13 Aug 202111 yearsMinsk region
Siarhei Lisouski13 Aug 202120 yearsMinsk, Minsk Region
Piotr Jurkevič13 Aug 20219 yearsMinsk Region, Belarus
Arciom Salavey4 Aug 20217 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Yauhen Rubashka29 Jul 20216 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Aliaksandr Bialou29 Jul 20215 years 6 months
Aljaksei Kudasau1 Jul 202111 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Dzmitryi Sasnouski1 Jul 202120 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Anatol Maculevicz11 Jun 20217 yearsPolotsk, Vitebsk region
Aljaksei Halauko5 Mar 202112 yearsBrest, Brest region
Andrei Aljaksandrau
Journalist
12 Jan 202114 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Marfa Rabkova17 Sept 202014 years 9 months
Alaksandr Franckievich13 Aug 202018 yearsBelarus
Mikalai Dainekadate unknownno sentence recorded
Maksim Szukanaudate unknown4 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Yauhen Rumodate unknown4 years
Volha Baikouskajadate unknown5 yearsSvislach, Minsk Region
Mikhail Horbaczdate unknownno sentence recordedMinsk, Belarus
Aljaksei Czarnavusaudate unknown4 yearsHomel, Homel region
Dzmitryi Kalinouskidate unknownno sentence recordedBelarus
Ivan Padlipencaudate unknown3 yearsMstislavl, Homyel region
Alena Safronavadate unknown2 yearsMahilyow, Mahilyow region
Alina Szaucovadate unknown3 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Vital Kaliadadate unknownno sentence recordedMinsk, Minsk Region
Halina Fralovadate unknown5 yearsBelarus
Aljaksandr Katljanikdate unknown4 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Hanna Ulasenkadate unknown3 yearsMinsk, Minsk region
Hanna Strukavadate unknown5 yearsBelarus
Yauhen Hurynovichdate unknown13 yearsBelarus
Maksim Drabnicadate unknown8 yearsSvetlahorsk, Homel region
Pavel Mikalayevich Ivanoudate unknownno sentence recordedMinsk, Minsk region
Zhanna Dashkevichdate unknownno sentence recorded
Aliaksandra Dubrouskayadate unknownno sentence recorded
Siarhei Daronindate unknownno sentence recorded
Dzmitryi Kavalioudate unknown2 yearsMinsk, Belarus
Volha Vashchankadate unknown5 yearsVileyka, Minsk region
Siarhei Belydate unknownno sentence recorded

Questions

Who decides that a group is an extremist formation?
The Interior Ministry or the KGB, by administrative decision. There is no trial, and the group is usually informed by the publication of the register entry.
Can a person be convicted in absentia?
Yes. Belarus introduced special proceedings for trials in absentia in 2023, and many creation and leadership charges under 361-1 have been decided that way.

How to write to a political prisoner in Belarus

Browse all cases in Belarus

How we define a political prisoner

Other statutes in Belarus

Counts are of published records in The Detained’s database for Belarus that carry this article, matched after normalizing how sources write it, as of 11 Nov 2026. They are a documented minimum: cases not yet published or not yet linked to the article are not counted. Each row links to the case record and its sources.