Detention of Mark Bernstein

At the time he was also interviewed by Deutsche Welle for his expertise in commenting on the development of the Belarusian-language Wikipedia project, which exists in two grammatical versions, Taraškievica and Narkamaŭka.

[14] Pro-government Telegram channels published a video recording of Bernstein's detention and accused him of spreading fake "anti-Russian" information.

"[2][9] On 26 March 2022, the Belarusian newspaper Nasha Niva reported that Bernstein was not released after 15 days of arrest and claimed that he was charged with "organization and preparation of actions grossly violating public order, or active participation in them" (article 342.1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus).

[15] In a joint statement of seven organizations, including the Viasna Human Rights Centre, dated 29 March 2022, he was recognized as a political prisoner.

[16] On 24 June 2022, in a second conviction, Bernstein was given a "parole-like" sentence, with restricted freedom, for three years, for "organizing and preparing activities that disrupt social order".