Journalist Viktar Parfionenka files appeal to Chairman of Supreme Court

Journalist Viktar Parfionenka has filed an appeal to the Chairman of the Supreme Court Valiantsin Sukala. Earlier, the Lieninski District Court of Minsk refused to open a civil case against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, which over the past few years rejected seven applications for accreditation with Radio Racyja. After the refusal of the Lieninski District Court, Viktar Parfionenka filed another complaint with the Civil Chamber of the Minsk City Court. However, on 19 January 2015, it dismissed the claim. The decision was supported by the Chairman of the Minsk City Court on April 2.

The journalist is sure that the court rulings are illegal, unreasonable and constitute a violation of his right to access to justice. Moreover, Belarusian legislation does not provide for an alternative means of extrajudicial appeal against the Foreign Ministry. Viktar Parfionenka has been trying to prove that he provided evidence of misconduct on the part of the MFA.

In his new appeal, the journalist asks to cancel the above decisions and refer the case to the trial court for consideration on the merits against the unlawful actions of the Foreign Ministry, which denies Viktar Parfionenka accreditation as a reporter.