KGB considers some pictures in the “Press Photo Belarus 2011” to be extremist

Two Belarusan photographers have been summoned to court after being accused of organizing an "extremist" photo exhibition.

As Julia Darashkevich told to the Radio Free Europe Belarus Service, on April 5 that she and her colleague Vadzim Zamirouski face trial in the western city of Ashmiany on April 17. Darashkevich said the official letter she received from the KGB says experts found that some pictures in their Press Photo Belarus 2011 exhibit were extremist and did not reflect "the real situation in Belarus."

The letter states that: "... Press Photo Belarus 2011 includes premeditated [and] distorted ideas about activities in the political, economic, social, and other spheres of the Republic of Belarus. ... The selection of the photo album's materials in general reflects solely negative aspects of the Belarusan nation's activities...which...insult the national honour and dignity of the citizens of the Republic of Belarus...In accordance with Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus, any activities of citizens aimed at insulting the national dignity and honour are considered as extremist."

Darashkevich says all the photographs were taken in different parts of Belarus and do not contain anything that might be considered extremist.

Belarusan border guards confiscated 42 copies of the Press Photo Belarus 2011 catalogue from Darashkevich and Zamirouski in November 2012 when the two were returning from exhibitions in the European Union. Press Photo Belarus is an annual independent photo project.

Here are the examples of the photos from the “Press Photo Belarus 2011” album:

Baptism by photographer Natallya Ablazhey

Owl chicks by photographer Natallya Ablazhey

Conscripts in Barysau in the Minsk region participate in the mandatory watching of the news program called "Panorama" on state-run TV. Photo by Syarhey Gudzilin

Workers handle the remains of Nazi soldiers killed in World War II near the Belarusian village of Shchatkava. Photograph by Vasil Fyadosenka

Marriage in an Orthodox church in Myadzel by photographer Uladzimer Nikalaychyk

Two people try on hats at a street market in the village of Khvayensk, about 270 kilometers south of Minsk. Photograph by Viktar Drachou

Students at a military school in Minsk Oblast after taking the cadet's oath. Photograph by Aleh Rubchenya

Former presidential candidate Uladzimer Nyaklyaeu campaigns in December 2010. Photograph by Henadz Mazhayka

Horses graze in a field near the village of Navasyolki. Photograph by Alexander Vasyukovich

At the National Arts Museum in Minsk during an exhibition by artist Barys Zaborau. Photograph by Vyachaslau Tsuranau

Portrait of author Uladzimer Arlou by photographer Andrey Lyankevich

A woman on a farm takes a rest after harvesting wheat on a sunny day in the village of Yuryeva, north of Minsk. Photograph by Viktar Drachou