Rahachou court fines independent journalist Natallia Kryvashey and Kanstantsin Zhukouski
They were fined under Part 2 of the Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code – each of them was fined 35 basic units (6 million 300 thousand rubles), NGO Belarusian Association of Journalists reports.
The penalty has been imposed under an administrative protocol drawn up by the chief of department of law enforcement and prevention of Rahachou police department, Lieutenant Colonel Yury Astapovich.
Natallia Kryvashey and Kanstantsin Zhukouski were accused of “illicit production” of the reportage “Bitter flavor of the crisis. Why Rahachou condensed milk remains in the warehouses?” which was broadcast on Belsat on May 14.
The journalists were not present at the trial, they did not receive subpoenas.
“There is nothing to be expected from the courts other than fines. The country is in crisis. Both intelligence services and the police together with the courts have found a relatively easy way to replenish the budget – through community activists and journalists, freelancers,” commented on the decision of the court Natallia Kryvashey.
For her, this year it has been the fourth court on similar administrative cases, Kanstantsin Zhukouski was tried for the seventh time.
In total, in Belarus this year, the courts have fined freelance journalist under the Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code 24 times. The amount of fines exceeded 129 million rubles.
