Journalist Fined in Hlybokaye
Tatsiana Smotkina was fined for 4.5 million rubles under art. 22.9 (illegal production and distribution of mass media products).
The journalist wrote an article “Roads will become more positive” about an artistic experiment of students of the local school of art. The article was published on the website of the Radio Racyja.
The case was initiated by Hlybokaye prosecutor’s office. The judge dismissed the motion to hold the hearing in the Belarusian language. One witness, a representative pf the local executive committee whose words were quoted in the article, did not appear at the hearing.
Tatsiana Smotkina argued that she worked as a freelancer and exercised her constitutional right to gather and disseminate information.
Also, on July 23, another journalist from Hlybokaye Zmitser Lupach was fined under the same administrative article.
At least five more journalists are awaiting trials for violating art. 22.9.
We remind that recently BAJ has protested against the prosecution under art. 22.9 and eagerly hopes for a sensible response from the officials.