Hlubokaye journalists Tatsiana Smotkina and Zmitser Lupach have been found guilty of illegally producing and distributing media materials (Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code).
Judge Lyudmila Vashchanka decided to punish Mr Lupach with a fine of 30 basic units (690 rubles) and Smotkina with 25 basic units (575 rubles)
Together they made a video clip for “Belsat” about the house #142 on Lenin Street in Hlubokaye, which needs a major overhall. The five-story building has not been repaired for 40 years. The story caused a big response.
The case originated in the local KGB department, which had made an order find out how the information about the house made it to the media. Journalist Zmitser Lupach had two protocols drawn on him, since the house tenants said they had seen Zmitsery there twice. The second time he came with Tatsiana Smotkina, who lives in the shabby house.
In court Smotkina said she had no employment relationship with “Belsat”, while Lupach refused to testify.
Earlier, the freelance journalists had already been made accountable for administrative offence. In 2015, Tatsiana Smotkina was punished by a fine of 25 basic units for the story she made for the Belarusian Radio Racja. Mr Lupach was fined for the same amount for the story made for the Euroradio.
