Belsat TV program draws response: Corrupt official may stand trial


In October 2014, Belsat TV aired the episode of the program Human Affairs’ exposing corruption in the housing and utility sector of the Belarusian town of Slonim. The program’s host Ales Zaleuski told the story of the residents of Tankistau street, who were presented with large bills for major renovation which was never carried out. Later it turned out that the official mentioned in Zaleuski’s program aroused the suspicion of Belarusian law enforcers.

“About two weeks ago Slonim residents phoned and said that Mikalai Syantovich, a former head of the Slonim Housing Repairs and Utilities Association, is under investigation. Zone X, a criminal news program of state-run TV, also reported about it. We checked and found out that the official is actually under investigation, he was dismissed from office. According to Zone X, he might be accused of abuse of office and corruption,” Zaleuski told Belsat TV.

Syantovich

Mikalai Syantovich (L)

In addition, Syantovich went beyond his authority when he provided assistance in building houses to his driver and daughter-in-law. The host of ‘Human Affairs’ promises the Slonim story will be continued:

“I am a bit ashamed because local residents called and asked for help but we did not manage to help them. Therefore, the next program will be devoted to the question why fighting corruption does not affect our people’s and country’s life.”

Ales Zaleuski was punished for the high-profile report. He was found guilty of working without accreditation and $500 fined. But the journalist says that his team’s work was not for nothing: due to the episode televised, law enforcement agencies knew about corrupt practices in Slonim.

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