Police resume persecution of freelance journalist Larysa Shchyrakova


Homiel-based freelance journalist Larysa Shchyrakova violated Article 22.9 of the Belarus Penal Code ‘illegal media production’, the local police state.

On December 24, police captain Titou drew up a protocol on Larysa Shchyrakova’s activity According to the document, the journalist is accused of making a new story about the threat of eviction of orphan Viktar Yanchanka from the village of Urytskaye. The news item was televised on Belsat TV.

This is the fifth protocol upon Larysa Shchyrakova: the previous four were drawn up for her reporting without accreditation and one for ‘participation’ in the rally which the journalist was covering. The freelancer was fined; she had to pay Br 8 mln for working without accreditation and Br 900,000 for participating in the rally.

See also: Pay if you reveal the truth: Fines for journalism (ENG video)

In total, Belarusian authorities have imposed 28 fines on independent journalists for ‘illegal media production’ over the past year.

At the turn of the year 2015, the Homiel police also resumed persecution of another Belsat TV contributor: a protocol was drawn up on Kastus Zhukouski’s interviewing residents of Karma.

belsat.eu

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