Leninski district court in Hrodna decided that the police had not collected enough documents for the trial of journalists Ales Dzyanisau and Ales Kirkevich. Their case was transferred back to the police officers because they had forgotten to make a request to the Ministry of Justice about their being accredited.
In such a way judge Kazakevich ‘is playing a justice game’, said human rights activist Uladzimir Khilmanovich. Activists of the HRC ‘Viasna’ do not believe that the judge’s actions are indicatiove of some liberalization in the run-up of the forthcoming presidential election.
“Judge Kazakevich is a well-known in hrodna. He sentenced people during silent protests in 2011, then he judged journalists. The case is not terminated, it has been sent back only for revision; thus, the judge is playing safe.”
It is not the first time that a case under Art. 22.9 (cooperation with foreign media without accreditation) has been initiated against Hrodna-based journalists Ales Kirkevich and Ales Dzyanisau. The charge is based on their covering exhibition of dolls made by Lithuanian artists which was held in Hrodna exhibition hall.
Read also: Freelance journalists again under accusation of cooperation with Belsat TV
