On May 12, Dzyarzhynsk district court imposed BYN 920 fine (nearly $500) on Belsat TV journalist Volha Czajczyc for livestreaming a protest rally which did not happen.
On March 18, journalist Volha Czajczyc and cameraman Syarhei Kavaliou were to cover a ‘non-parasite’ protest in Barysau. They were detained during the live broadcast in the town, although people did not show up at the event.
Protocols were drawn upon Volha Czajczyc and Syarhei Kavaliou for ‘illegal production of media products’ (art. 22.9 of the Administrative Code).
The policemen who had detained the journalists were witnessing in court.
“According to policeman Yakimovich, he was much aggrieved at the fact that the screenshots of the live stream had gone viral on on social networks and many of his friends had recognised him. He added that the order to detain us had been given before the start of the rally,” Volha Czajczyc stressed.
Court official Darya Uvarava forbade them to take photos and film videos in the courtroom, the journalist said.
On April 11, Volha Czajczyc was tried in absentia for covering a rally in Vitsebsk and fined.
In early May, Belsat TV Director Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy initiated public fundraising to help the contributors sentenced to fines in Belarus.
