Аrmenian blogger reportedly arrested in Belarus

PanARMENIAN.Net - Well-known blogger Alexander Lapshin reported on his Facebook page that, based on unconfirmed sources, Armenian blogger Bella was arrested in Belarus at Azerbaijan’s request. Bella, known by the username "Bella’s Place," has a strong presence on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

In a follow-up post, citing unofficial sources from the Belarusian Embassy in Armenia, Lapshin claimed that Bella has been detained for 15 days in Belarus, after which a court will decide on further measures.

"She is currently in prison. Bella holds dual citizenship in Armenia and Belarus," the post stated.

She faces charges under the following articles of the Belarusian Criminal Code:

-Article 130: Incitement of racial, national, religious, or other social hatred.

-Article 123: War propaganda.

-Article 188: Defamation.

-Article 369: Insulting a government official.

-Article 186: Threats of murder or grievous bodily harm.

According to available information, the charges have already been filed, but Belarus' Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not yet issued official statements.

"It should be emphasized that this information is unofficial. There is currently an active exchange of information between the Belarusian Embassy and the Minsk Foreign Ministry, with leaks occurring.

I should note that not all employees of the Belarusian Embassy support such actions, particularly those initiated by Ambassador Alexander Konyuk, who, as Belarus' former Prosecutor General, personally signed my extradition order to Azerbaijan for visiting Artsakh.

I also want to add that the charges against the girl are characteristic of Lukashenko’s regime and are often used against Belarusian opposition figures and bloggers. It is clear that these accusations are illegitimate, entirely fabricated, and a farce," Lapshin wrote.

Lapshin himself was previously arrested in Belarus and extradited to Azerbaijan for visiting Artsakh. Sentenced to three years in prison by an Azerbaijani court, he spent time in an Azerbaijani prison, survived an assassination attempt, and was later extradited to Israel under international pressure, as he is also an Israeli citizen.