Narodnaya Volia fined about $2,800

On 8 August the Supreme Economic Court of Belarus fined opposition newspaper Narodnaya Volia 400 basic units, or Br14 million rubles ($2.8 thousand) for multiple violations of law during the year. The edition is not going to appeal the verdict.

"It's the same penalty as that of Nasha Niva but of 400 minimum wages instead of 500. I don't see any point to appeal the verdict: it is a mere formality. The Supreme Court will review the case and simply will not change anything. Reasons for a fine are also formal, so we can say that the state has introduced economic sanctions against us. As you can see, independent publications add up Br14 million to the state budget each," said lawyer Hary Pahaniaila, reports Nasha Niva.

According to Telegraf, on 29 July Judge of Minsk Economic Court Aliaksandr Karamyshau considered the administrative case brought by the Minsk City Police Department against the newspaper Nasha Niva and fined it 400 basic units (Br14 million). The case was initiated by the Ministry of Information, which had sent a letter to Minsk city executive committee "of bringing to administrative responsibility."

The Information Ministry initiated administrative proceedings against Nasha Niva and Narodnaya Volia by this letter, explained them by the fact that the publications had already had two warnings for the year.