Poland-sponsored Belarusian website ruled 'extremist'

A Belarusian court has ruled that the Belsat news website, a part of Poland's news television operation, and its associated social networks should be regarded as extremist, the Belarusian Interior Ministry has announced.

The verdict was issued by a court in Gomel, south-eastern Belarus, on Tuesday.

"The basis (for the decision) were inspection reports from the Main Department for Fighting Organised Crime and Corruption (HUBAZiK) in the Gomel region," the ministry reported.

Since 2007, Poland has sponsored the Belsat television channel, broadcasting in Belarusian and Russian in Belarus. The website and the social media accounts are part of the project.