Hienadz Barbarych: Policemen testimonies were soaked in lies

The judge saw that policemen were lying like children, however stamped resolutions anyway, the convicted journalist stated.

A journalist of Radio Racyja Hienadz Barbarych, who was released after 3 days in prison in Akrestsina street, told about that in an interview to charter97.org.

“Law enforcing agencies has taken onto our radio more closely. When two journalists of one media are grabbed and taken away with no obvious reasons, this is a purposeful action. We cover what other independent media cover: the situation with the political prisoners, the opposition’s events, we do not stand out with anything special. May be it influenced that we did not have an accreditation. Undoubtedly, there is external pressure on independent media. It may not be that strong as it could be, but it is being done constantly”, - the journalist believes.

He noted that he hoped for a sooner release at first.

“It was not the first time that I was detained since I have been covering Charnobyl Way for 15 years. They would release me before when they found out I was a journalist. This time it happened differently. In addition, our cameras were taken and all the shots from the manifestation were deleted”, - the employee of a Belarusian radio station added.

He highlighted that the authorities were afraid of pass a stricter sentence upon the journalists than the other detained, since there was a fairly large scandal in internet over that.

“We were detained absolutely on no grounds. Police protocols were soaked with lies. They said that we resisted, fell on the ground and did not show press certificates, and they allegedly introduced themselves right away. But it was exactly vice versa. There was a lot of confusion during the proceedings as well, many contradictions and discrepancies. The judge saw that the policemen were lying like children, however he stamped resolutions anyway, God forbid it happens once again, I will pass a motion for polygraph test them all. But now I intend to appeal against the court’s decision. Otherwise I would agree with the false accusation”, - Hienadz Barbarych summarized.