Brest journalist fined 6 millions

The court of Leninski district of Brest fined a journalist from Brest, Ales Lyauchuk, 40 basic units (6 mln rubles).

He is charged with illegal production and dissemination of mass media (Part 2 of Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code), BelaPAN informs.

Lyauchuk believes that the decision of the court had been prepared in advance. “The judge was not considering any of my arguments, she was following her own way noticeably. I was acquainted with the materials of the case, and it was written clearly there: as it had been established by the KGB, I work for Belsat TV channel, though it had not been proved in any way,” he said.

As said by the journalist, in the court hearings the answer from the Foreign Ministry was considered. According to it, Lyauchuk didn’t have accreditation as a foreign journalist. The journalist himself offered a written confirmation in the court that he is a freelance journalist of BelaPAN, as well as a certificate from the editorial office, but “it was not considered at all.”

“When I saw that it was a farce and no one was going to examine the case, I refused to answer questions and give evidence,” the journalist said.

He plans to take review against the judgement in the regional court.

We remind that this year it has been the 14th judgement concerning journalists charged with violation of Article 22.9 Part 2 of the Administrative Code.