Freelance journalists Ales Dzianisau and Ales Kirkevich face fresh administrative charges

The police department of Hrodna has opened a new administrative case against local freelance journalists Ales Dzianisau and Ales Kirkevich. Both are again accused of violating Article 22.9, Part 2 of the Administrative Code of Belarus (illegal production and dissemination of information). The journalists have reportedly produced a video, which was later shown by Belsat TV Channel. Today, July 20, Ales Kirkevich visited the police department of Lieninski district where he faced official charges. Ales Dzianisau has not been able to come to the police station yet.

Over the past two years, Hrodna authorities and law enforcement agencies have severely restricted local journalists’ right to professional activities. Ales Dzianisau and Ales Kirkevich have been repeatedly brought to administrative responsibility under Article 22.9, Part 2 of the Administrative Code. On April 22, Judge Alena Piatrova of Hrodna’s Lieninski District Court fined each of the journalists 20 basic amounts. Appealing against these fines brought no positive results.