In Hrodna journalists fined for news piece about Slutsk sashes

Hrodna-based journalists Ales Kirkevich and Ales Dzyanisau were ordered to pay a fine of 20 basic units.

The independent journalists were brought to responsibility for a report about opening of an exhibition of Slutsk sashes in the Belarusian Museum of Religion, which was broadcast by Belsat TV channel in early March.

The charges are the same, Article 22.9 Part 2 of the Administrative Code – “illegal producing and dissemination of mass media products.”

The journalists believe the charges are illegal and note that they are going to challenge the verdict. “On the one hand, there are positive nuances, as unexpectedly a minimal fine under the Article, Br3.5 mln, was chosen. On the other hand, one could speak about normalization only after accreditation received by Belsat, and work on equal terms with other foreign TV channels: NTV, RTR and other mass media. We are going to challenge the ruling of Judge Alena Pyatrova,” Ales Kirkevich said.

The news story about the exhibition of Slutsk sashes was on air of Belsat on March 4. The story didn’t touch upon political or pressing society problems.

The authorities continue persecution of independent journalists. In 2014 there were 10 trials on charges related to Article 22.9, the total sum of fines was about Br100 mln. Over the first months of 2015 there have been 9 such trials, and as a result, journalists were sentenced to fines that make about Br47 mln in total.

Beside Kanstantsin Zhukouski, those who have been fined for their professional activities this year include Alyaksandr Lyauchuk, Alina Litsvinchuk, Larysa Schyrokava, Tamara Shchapyotkina. Last year Ales Dzyanisau was fined 30 basic units, and Ales Kirkevich was officially warned under the abovementioned article.