29 March 2024, Friday, 13:00
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Journalist fined for working for independent media

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Journalist fined for working for independent media

Judge Natallia Charapukha from Babruisk delivered a verdict in the case of independent journalist Maryna Malchanava.

The trial began with the questioning of police officer Aliaksei Hancharou. He gave evidence as a witness, who took part in the “examination of the scene of the administrative offence”. It means he was in the office of lieutenant colonel Siarhei Rudzko when the latter opened the website of Belsat, Viasna human rights centre reports.

Aliaksei Hancharou said the article on the website was in the form of a dialogue. The police officers printed the page and attached it to the police report. The judge asked what was the purpose of the examination.

“I was asked to be present there. I didn't ask for what purpose,” the policeman said.

Maryna Malchanava filed a written motion relating to the materials of the trial over journalist Ales Zaleuski in Karelichy, but the judge dismissed it again. The lawyer asked to attach the motion to materials of the case. Natallia Charapukha agreed.

Maryna Malchanava gave her explanations regarding the conversation with a character of the story about charity. The judge read Siarhei Rudzko's request to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the ministry's answer. She also read the policeman's request to the police of Krasnapolsk asking to question the character of the story.

The interview with the character of the story by police officer Uladzimir Basiankou was read at the trial. The police officer was to appear at the trial, but he didn't come because he had to work on that day. According to Basiankou's report, he showed the woman photographs of three women, among them a passport photo of Maryna Malchanava. The woman recognised the journalist.

Maryna Malchanava's lawyer explained to the judge her client could not be punished for the offence she was charged with. She noted Malchanava is an individual, while article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offences carries a punishment only for companies. She explained the difference between finished products that appear in the media and collecting materials and recalled article 34 of the Constitution that guarantees the freedom of receiving and distributing information by any citizen of Belarus.

According to the lawyer, it follows from the evidence of the interviewed woman that Maryna Malchanava did not make notes of the conversation or record it on a dictaphone, so it cannot be proved that it was she who made the text version for the website. The lawyer asked why the police were not looking for a cameraman and why they didn't contact Belsat for explanations. “The administrative process is not carried out properly,” she said and called the case absurd.

Judge Natallia Charapukha found Malchanava guilty of violating part 2 of article 22.9 and fined her 32 penalty units (4,800,000 rubles).

Maryna Malchanava is going to appeal against the decision to the regional court.

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