Hrodna prosecutor’s office issues warning to independent journalists

Journalists of the Poland-based independent media Viktar Parfionenka (Radio Racyja) and Ales Dzianisau (BelSat TV Channel) have received official warnings by Hrodna Regional Prosecutor’s Office for working in Belarus without MFA’s accreditation.

Ales Dzianisau has been warned for making a story on the event marking the anniversary of the 1863 anti-Russian uprising held in the town of Svislach, Hrodna region, in late October 2011. During a conversation with the prosecutor, the journalist said that the charges were groundless as they were not substantiated by any evidence.

Ales Dzianisau was earlier warned on similar charges. He was also fined for shooting a story at a Hrodna school in 2009.

Viktar Parfionenka was charged with contributing to the Radio Racyja web-site. In turn, the journalist says he is member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists and works under the national laws. Viktar Parfionenka was also warned of possible prosecution under Art. 22.9 Par. 2 of the Administrative Code, in case his contribution to the Poland-based radio is revealed again.