Kletsk independent publisher fined for insult to official

Siarhei Panamarou, publisher of the ‘Boiki Kletsk’ independent newsletter, was fined BYR 350,000 for insulting a representative of the local housing department, the Nasha Niva newspaper reports.

On 29 April Kletsk district court met the counter-claim by head of the town’s housing department Aliaksandr Navistki, following a similar lawsuit by the convict.

However, Mr. Panamarou argues that it was the official who insulted him outside the housing department’s building back on 15 March. Shortly after the incident, Siarhei Panamarou lodged a claim against the official, submitting signatures of witnesses. However, Aliaksandr Navitski lodged a counter-claim, arguing that it was Mr. Panamarou who insulted him. As a result, Mr. Panamarou was charged with violating Article 9.1 of the Civil Code. At the same time, his claim was left unattended.