The Foreign Office has issued a fresh warning for UK tourists in Belarus, highlighting the risk of mobile phone seizures and detention. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its guidance on Monday, May 11, cautioning that British nationals face a significant danger of arrest and detention.
Political Activity Warning
The FCDO stated: 'You face a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention if you have engaged in any political activity related to Belarus. This can include having donated to organisations or supported activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime. Laws can be applied retroactively by the authorities.'
Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe with a population of approximately 9.1 million. Its capital is Minsk, and it shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Details of the Advisory
'If the authorities suspect you of engaging in and supporting activities against Belarusian law (including political activities), even if activities took place outside Belarus, you may be subject to deportation, detention, investigation and prosecution,' the FCDO added.
'The risk of arrest and detention is greater for those, including for dual nationals, who have previously been involved in activities inside or outside of Belarus, or on social media, which the authorities have since classed as illegal.'
The warning explicitly notes that mobile phones and other personal items may be seized and inspected by the authorities, including at the border upon entering Belarus.
BBC Content Designated Extremist
Belarus has designated BBC News Russian content as 'extremist material' under BBC.com. Distributing, reposting or storing material from BBC.com is now an offence under Belarusian law.
Earlier this year, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gifted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a rifle as they signed a friendship treaty in Pyongyang. The two leaders, both key supporters of Russia's war in Ukraine, agreed to co-operate more closely and resist pressure from the West. Lukashenko joked to Kim that he had brought him an automatic rifle 'just in case enemies appear', according to a video released by Belarusian state media.
