Hrodna Regional Court to hear appeal by freelance journalist Andrei Mialeshka on July 24

Andrei Mialeshka, a freelance journalist from Hrodna, continues his struggle for the right to impart information. The member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists has appealed against the decision of the court of Kastrychnitski district to the Hrodna Regional Court. The complaint will be considered on July 24.

On June 16, Deputy Chairman of the Kastrychnitski District Court of Hrodna Dzmitry Kedal, after several postponements of the trial, found the journalist guilty of violating Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code over a publication, which was posted on the website of the Belarusian Radio Racyja. The freelance journalist received a fine of 4.5 million rubles for the alleged illegal production and distribution of information.

Andrei Mialeshka says he does not believe that the Regional Court will grant his cassation appeal (similar complaints by BAJ members Ales Dzianisau and Ales Zaleuski, who were fined on the same charges, were rejected), but intends to continue fighting for his constitutional rights.