Hrodna Regional Court confirms fines for freelance journalists
Ales Dzianisau and Ales Kirkevich
The Hrodna Regional Court heard today appeals by local freelance journalists Ales Dzianisau and Ales Kirkevich. As a result of a five-minute consideration, the judge sided with the Lieninski District Court and dismissed the journalists’ appeals.
On August 19, Ales Dzianisau and Ales Kirkevich were fined 4.5 mln rubles each for making a report on an art exhibition that opened in Hrodna on June 23.
In their appeals, the journalists highlighted violation of their constitutional rights, as well as the fact that Article 22.9, Part 2 of the Administrative Code (illegal production and dissemination of information) provides no responsibility of individuals, but only mentions editorial boards as legal entities responsible for such violations.
