Human rights group Viasna reported that the arrests carried out last week took place in the towns of Smorgon and Slonim in the west of the country close to the Polish border.

The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on opposition supporters, with over 100 people detained so far.

Activists describe the arrests as a suppression of dissent linked to anti-government protests in 2020 and the use of so-called "extremist" media.

In a social media post, Viasna said that those detained included residents of Smarhon and nearby areas.

The group said that the detentions were based on “participation in peaceful actions as early as 2020, subscriptions to ‘extremist’ websites and Telegram channels, signatures for candidates in the 2020 elections, assistance to families of political prisoners, and receiving assistance from initiatives.”

The crackdown reportedly targeted both local residents and people returning to Belarus from abroad.

Some detainees have received sentences of up to 15 days, while others face criminal charges, including conspiracy to seize power and promoting actions that threaten national security.

Separately, President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 31 people previously convicted of "extremism" offenses, Viasna reported.