Journalist Volha Chaychyts to be tried for “working without accreditation”

Volha Chaychyts is charged with working for foreign media without accreditation (article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offences).

According to the journalist, the summons was sent to her by mail, Belsat reports.

“I went to the police department in Fanipal to figure out details. Police officers refused to speak Belarusian with me. I asked to find an interpretor for me, but they offered me to speak Chinese. They said we have two state languages and every person can choose any of them,” Volha Chaychyts says.

The case is connected with an article on Belsat's website. The policemen showed the journalist printed copies of the story about a public discussion of development plans in Fanipal.

“The police officer said it wasn't personal and added the story was perhaps good. It wouldn't have been an offence if we had made a story and hadn't aired it, but we didn't have the right to publish it on the internet. The case will be sent to a court. The trial date has not been set yet.”

According to Volha Chaychyts, she will be tried together with Siarhei Krauchuk, who also received a summons in connection with the story.

Belarusian journalists have been found guilty of violating article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offences 12 times this year. The total amount of fines under the article exceeded 60 million rubles.