Investigation Committee stalls for time


Another linguistic expert examination is to be carried out in the process of the investigation into the case of Hrodna journalist Andrzej Poczobut. It is the fourth time that his articles have been subjected to the expert analysis. This time it is to be conducted by Hrodna State University.

“After the Academy of Public Administration, Belarusian State University and Academy of Sciences had discovered a bunch of criminal articles in my texts, the Investigation Committee required an extra opinion of modest Hrodna University for some purpose,” the journalist stressed.

To his mind, each expert analysis is needed to provide extra time to investigators. “While an expert examination is conducted, the investigation process is suspended. It means that my being defendant continues, my recognizance not to leave is in force, etc,” Poczobut said.

Poczobut was arrested in June, 2012 and charged with libelling against the president of the Republic of Belarus. According to the investigators, a number of articles written by Poczobut and placed on news web sites “contained libels on the Head of the state”. Later he was released on his own recognisance. Not a single investigatory action might have been carried out, the investigation itself is going on.

It is not the first time that the journalist has been accused of insulting Aliaksandr Lukashenka: last year he stood trial started which was held behind the closed doors. Having spent three months in jail Poczobut was given a suspended sentence of three years of imprisonment. At the moment he faces up to five years.

Andrzej Poczobut has not admitted his guilt and refuses to cooperate with the investigators.

Belsat

www.belsat.eu/en

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