New trials over journalists in Babruisk and Mahilou

Journalists are tried for “working without accreditation”.

On September 23, the trial against journalist Maryna Mauchnava will be resumed in Babruisk, charter97.org learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).

The trial began on September 18, but was adjourned, because judge Natallia Charapukha gave the journalist time to find a lawyer.

Maryna Mauchanava was charged with violating article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offences (illegal production and distribution of media product) in connection with an article published on Belsat's website in August 2014.

Mauchanva was presented charges on September 4.

Journalist Aliaksandr Burakou from Mahilou faced charges after three his articles were published on the website of Deutche Welle in July-August 2014. The police raided the flat of the journalist and his parents on September 16 and seized two laptops, two computer cases and two USB sticks.

The BAJ notes that prosecuting journalists working for foreign media without accreditation has become a trend.

Administrative cases for working without accreditation were opened against 7 journalists in the recent few months. International journalist organisations call on the Belarusian authorities to cancel the accreditation procedure that violates the right to access to information.