OSCE representative hopes the verdict of Maryna Zolatava will be overturned
Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
On March 4, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir expressed hope that the Belarusian authorities would reverse the verdict of TUT.BY chief editor Maryna Zolatava.
He wrote this in his Twitter:
Conviction & fining of Marina Zolotova, editor of @tutby, along with disproportionate measures of law enforcement against @belapan & @tutby agencies in 2018, may exert chilling effect on independent media in #Belarus. Hope the verdict will be overturned on appeal. #делоЗолотовой
When the "BelTA case" started, Mr Harlem Desir expressed concerns over measures against independent media outlets in Belarus, and called on authorities to release detained journalists.
Maryna Zolatava was convicted on March 4 and sentence to a fine of 300 base values. BelTA legal costs are to be recovered from here as well. Commenting the sentence to reporters, TUT.BY cheif editor was unsure about her willingness to appeal the verdict.
