Andrzej Poczobut released from punishment

The court of Hrodna's Leninski district heard the case of the journalist who received a suspended sentence for “libel against Lukashenka”.

Charter97.org learnt it from Andrzej Poczobut, a Hrodna-based journalist and correspondent for Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland).

“Thanks God, it's okay. The court took a decision to free me from punishment,” the journalist said.

He said he expected the worse from the trial.

“In Belarus, we should hope for the best and prepare for the worst. The fact that restrictions were lifted from Iryna Khalip and Uladzimir Niakliaeu shows that the same decision will be taken in my case. I had hopes, but no one can guarantee anything in our country, where only one person decides everything. Such big independent media as Charter'97, Radio Racyja, Belsat, Belorusski Partizan have to work abroad, so I think it is the best indicator of the state of free speech in Belarus,” Andrzej Poczobut said.

The journalist is sure that the criminal case didn't influence what and how he writes.

“I have been writing and I will continue to write. When I am working over a story I want it to reflect the reality. I don't think whether the Belarusian authorities, the KGB and Aliaksandr Lukashenka will like it or not,” he sums up.

We remind that Andrzej Poczobut received a suspended sentence in summer 2011 for “libel against Lukashenka”. The probation period expired on September 20.