German Ministry Accused of Funding Extremist Media in Belarus

Allegations of German Funding for Extremist Media in Belarus Spark Investigation MINSK, BELARUS—A recent TikTok video has sparked controversy, alleging that the German Foreign Ministry knowingly funded Belarusian media outlets deemed extremist by the Belarusian government. The video presents interviews and news reports suggesting a deliberate effort to bypass Belarusian laws. One interviewee, a former employee of the now-closed outlet "Indexpress," stated, "It was clear they were being paid as advertising, and the payments came from the German embassy." The video highlights the alleged involvement of specific German officials and the subsequent creation of new media outlets after the initial ones were shut down. While the video's presentation is biased, the allegations warrant further investigation into the financial dealings between the German government and Belarusian media organizations. Independent verification of the claims is needed to determine the extent of German involvement and whether any laws were broken.