Brest: marked administration hinders journalists

The incident took place on 6 June on the territory of the Brest market "Autazapchastki" ("Spare parts for cars") during a visit of the initiators of the campaign "Popular Referendum" who wanted to talk with entrepreneurs and other residents of the city.

The meeting was covered by the freelance journalists Ales Liauchuk and Milana Kharytonava. They were approached by the head of the market, Aleh Dzenisiuk, who stated they couldn't make photo and video shots of the market without a permit, as the territory of the market was private property. In addition, according to Liauchuk, the official asked how the photos would be used.

The attempts of the journalists to explain that it should not even interest him(as well as references to the Constitution, which guarantees the dissemination of information), brought no result: Aleh Dzenisiuk stated that the market had its own rules and called the police.

The policemen put down the personal data of Ales Liauchuk and Milana Kharytonava and warned that the journalists could be summonsed to the police department for a questioning.