Detained Nasha Niva reporter to appear in court
Maskouski District Court in Minsk has released the list of people who were detained on March 25 and who will stand trial today. The list also includes Siamyon Pechanko, a reporter with Nasha Niva newspaper. His case will be heard by judge T. Unukevich. Andrei Bastunets, a deputy chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists who is presently in the courthouse, said that the list includes a total of 19 people. All of them are facing charges of violating the procedures for the organization of mass events (Article 23.34 in the Administrative Code).
The Minsk City Police Department said in a statement that 88 people were detained yesterday in Minsk. 13 minors were handed over to their parents, and 2 were released without charges. The rest will be tried on administrative charges.
The lists of detainees also include Andrei Lyankevich, a freelance photo reporter with Nasha Niva newspaper. He and Siamyon Pechanko had press IDs at the moment of the detention.
Attempts by the Belarusian Association of Journalists and Nasha Niva newspaper to convince the police that the journalists were on professional assignments have been in vain, reports the press service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).
The Minsk City Police Department said in a statement that 88 people were detained yesterday in Minsk. 13 minors were handed over to their parents, and 2 were released without charges. The rest will be tried on administrative charges.
The lists of detainees also include Andrei Lyankevich, a freelance photo reporter with Nasha Niva newspaper. He and Siamyon Pechanko had press IDs at the moment of the detention.
Attempts by the Belarusian Association of Journalists and Nasha Niva newspaper to convince the police that the journalists were on professional assignments have been in vain, reports the press service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).
