Ales Zaleuski, the author of Belsat TV programs ‘People’s Affairs’ and ‘Zaleuski’s Report’ has been Br 6 mln fined (appr. $550) by court in the Belarusian city of Slonim, Hrodna region.
“Today’s trial proved that the verdict had been delivered behorehand: they did not have a single proof of the fact of broadcasting [the story by Belsat], they just found a video on Youtube. I am going to consult my colleagues from the Belarusian Association of Journalists about appealing against the judgement; this happens to be pressure on the entire journalist community, it’s not just a single case,” Ales Zaleuski told Belsat.
Slonim court charged Zaleuski with working without being accredited (Article 22.9-1 of the Belarusian Administrative Code). Not long ago the journalist was making a report on embezzlement and corruption in housing and utility sector in Slonim; soon after he was summoned and informed of an impending trial.
Ales believes he has been retaliated by the authorities for his calling public attention to the problem.
It is not the first time that the Belarusian regime has made an attempt to retaliate against freelance journalists who are not given any official permission to perform their professional duties in the country: three journalists in Hrodna region have been fined this year.
It is to be recalled that in March, 2013 Belsat TV made its third attempt to get a formal accreditation and filed all the necessary documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But in vain: the Ministry’s officers refused to register its correspondent office in Minsk referring to Belsat contributors’ alleged law violations. As our journalists and contributors have to perform their professional duties without any accreditation they repeatedly draw fire from public officers.
