Court in Mahilioŭ dismisses case against editor of independent weekly

The Kastryčnicki District Court of Mahilioŭ has dismissed the administrative case against Ihar Barysau, editor-in-chief of the Naš Mahilioŭ independent newspaper, due to expiration of the two-month period for the imposition of an administrative penalty.

The journalist was charged when visiting the police department on July 13, where he had come to take back the computers seized from him on charges of defaming the manager of the Stužka state-owned enterprise.

Ihar Barysau was told that two new administrative cases had been opened. The journalist had allegedly violated media laws and legislation on foreign aid.

He was accused of not showing proper attention to the publication on the weekly’s website. In addition, he was charged with receiving funds from abroad for the maintenance of the website.

Earlier, the Lieninski District Court of Mahilioŭ cited the same reasons to dismiss the administrative case against freelance journalist Alina Skrebunova.

Source: mahilyowspring.org