Hrodna journalist fined 4.5 mln

On March 24, Ales Dzianisau was questioned by the police. Then, the journalist was charged under Part 2 of Art. 22.9 of the Administrative Code for in collaboration with the Poland-based TV channel Belsat. The reporters do not have accreditation, which would allow to work legally in Belarus. The charge against Ales Dzianisau stemmed from a story he made in the local Puppet Theatre on February 6. The trial began today at the Leninski District Court of Hrodna. As a result, Judge Yury Kazakevich fined the reporter 4.5 million rubles. At the trial, Ales Dzianisau pleaded not guilty and asked for calling a witness who was mentioned in the case file, the chief director of the Regional Puppet Theater, Aleh Zhuhzhda, who gave an interview to the journalist. The Judge, however, ignored the request.