Criminal Case against Iryna Khalip

On September 20 the journalilst Iryna Khalip was summoned to Miensk city prosecutor’s office for interrogation. The investigator Uladzimir Shylau informed her that General prosecutor’s office had initiated a criminal case against her and put the city prosecutor’s office in charge of the investigation.

Iryna Khalip is suspected of libeling Viktar Sheiman, Prosecutor General. The reason for the case investigation was the article “Afghan Greyhounds”, published in the newspaper “Dlia Sluzgebnogo Polzovania”. In this article the journalist described the circumstances of the criminal case against ex-President of “Bieldziarzhkharchpram” Viktar Kazieka and his son Andrei Kazieka, ex-Head of market department of “Kryshtal” factory. Both of them are suspected of bribery and embezzlement of State property.

The newspaper received a warning. By the way, if an edition receives two warning for the same reason during a year, it can be closed through court, in accordance with Bielarusian legislation.

(based on information of Radio “Liberty”)