EU commissar: Pavel Svyardlou's arrest - pressure on journalists
Our colleague who has been in jailed for 14 days was discussed by the European Parliament yesterday.
"The imprisonment of Euroradio journalist Pavel Svyardlou for 15 days for swearing in a public place is one of the recent examples of pressure exercised on journalists. The atmosphere of fear is coming to Belarus before the parliamentary election and independent journalists are being systematically prevented from doing their job", - claimed EU commissar Connie Hedegaard during the EP debates dedicated to Belarus on July 5.
MEPs adopted a resolution that condemns the criminal prosecution of journalist and activist Andrzej Pochobut and obstacles created to prevent independent journalists' work in general.
The resolution urges EU member states to consider the possibility of expanding the sanctions and the Ministers of the Eastern Partnership to discuss the human rights situation in Belarus and Pochobut's case at the end of the month.
Let us remind you that Euroradio journalist Pavel Svyardlou officially accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was detained near his house on the morning of June 22. Moscow District Court jailed him for 15 days for swearing on the same day. Minsk City Court will consider Pavel Svyadlou's appeal today, on July 6, at 3 p.m.
