Belarus bans Polish weekly Gość Niedzielny as extremist

The Leninski District Court in Grodno, Belarus, has designated the website and social media profiles of the Polish Catholic weekly “Gość Niedzielny” as “extremist materials.” The decision, published by the Belarusian Ministry of Information, is subject to immediate execution.

Reports from EuroRadio suggest the ban follows the publication of content critical of the administration of Alexander Lukashenko. Specific topics cited include interviews with former political prisoners such as Alexei Bialatski and Andrzej Poczobut, as well as coverage regarding the expulsion of Polish Catholic priests from Belarus.

This move is part of a broader pattern of Belarusian authorities using anti-extremism legislation to restrict foreign media. Previous outlets added to the banned list include the Polish Press Agency (PAP), BBC Russian Service, Euronews, and Voice of America.