Chair of Brest Regional Court turns down appeal by independent journalist
Milana Kharytonava, press photographer of the Brestskiy Kurier independent newspaper.
Chair of the Brest Regional Court, Tamara Suchok, found no violations in previous court decisions in the case of Milana Kharytonava, who tried to defend her honor, dignity and business reputation.
The defendant in the case was a reporter of the Brestskiy Vestnik newspaper Uladzimir Minevich (the periodical is founded by the local town authorities). In March last year Minevich posted offensive comments against Kharytonava on one of the Brest internet portals.
However, neither the district nor the Regional Court took into account any one of the journalist’s arguments. In particular, the journalist was trying to prove that the linguistic examination was entrusted to a person who did not have the appropriate license and experience. In addition, the examination was appointed only in matters concerning offence charges and did not concern the honor, dignity and business reputation, as demanded in a statement by Mrs. Kharytonava.
However, in her response, Chair of the Brest Regional Court said that there was no reason that the case should be sent for a new trial. Tamara Suchok also notes that previous courts soundly rejected Milana Kharytonava’s claim to recover from the defendant compensation for moral damage.
