Journalist of Radio Liberty, designated as extremist entity in Belarus, detained in Minsk

MINSK. Dec 23 (Interfax) - Belarusian law enforcement agencies detained Oleg Gruzdilovich, a journalist of Radio Liberty (designated as a foreign agent media in Russia and as an extremist entity in Belarus), in Minsk on Thursday, the unregistered Viasna human rights center reported.

"Radio Liberty journalist Oleg Gruzdilovich has been detained," Viasna said on its Telegram channel.

Gruzdilovich is treated as a suspect in a criminal case opened on a count of "organization and preparation of or active involvement in actions grossly violating public order."

Earlier reports said that the Belarusian Interior Ministry designated Radio Liberty as an extremist entity on Thursday.

"On December 23, the Interior Ministry designated a group of citizens united via Radio Liberty web resources as an extremist entity," the ministry said.

This concerns Radio Liberty's website, YouTube channel, Telegram channel, and social media pages.