Has Reading Independent Newspapers Become A Crime? :: Charter'97 :: News

Today morning a police report has been drawn up against a public activist Anatol Paplauny at the plant of starting engines in Homel. He was accused of violating an Article 172 of Administrative Code (dissemination of printed materials aimed at undermining state and public order).

In the morning a deputy director on staff, ideology and security A. Menchukou and the senior district police officer of Savetski district of Homel I. Tsyatserych demanded explanations from the foreman, supervising foreman and two workers of the factory’s tool workshop. The reason for that was emergence of two copies of the newspaper “Svaboda” at a working place of one of workers, the human rights center Viasna informs.

After a conversation a district police officer drew up a report against Anatol Paplauski, a technician of the factory, for dissemination of printed materials. The Article 172 of the Administrative Code envisages a penalty of 5 minimal salaries and confiscation of printed materials. The fact of violation of the law is to be considered by an administrative commission.

“The authorities and the leadership of the enterprise are afraid of the independent information,” Anatol Paplauny says. “Any unofficial source of information for workers really worries them”.