Journalists versus Navumau

Journalists who were covering the rally on March 25, challenge the words of the head of the Interior Ministry of Belarus, who said that their arrested colleague Syamyon Pechanko took part in the demonstration.

Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumau stated on the occasion of the 15-days arrest of Nasha Niva journalist Syamyon Pechanko who covered the rally on March 25: “When journalists take part in unsanctioned rallies and offer resistance to policemen, they are to bear responsibility as common citizens”.

Colleagues of Nasha Niva reporter who saw the arrest, said the opposite to the newspaper.

Syarhei Pulsha, BelaPAN correspondent:

“I am a journalist of the informational campaign BelaPAN. I was given a task to cover the rally on March 25.

At about 6.40 p.m. I was near the bridge over the Svislatch River in Independence Avenue on the side of the museum of the First Convene of the Russian Social Democratic and Labour Party. Nasha Niva reporter Syamyon Pechanko was not far from me. He was making pictures of demonstrators. A certificate of a journalist was attached to his clothes. He was not chanting any slogans. There were no flags or symbols in his hands. He had a camera in his hands”.

Henadz Barbarych, a reporter of “Belarusy i rynok” newspaper:

“On March 25, 2008 I was given a task by “Belarusy i rynok” newspaper, as I work as their contributor. I was preparing reporting of the Freedom Day celebration. That event was covered by numerous Belarusian and foreign journalists. Nasha Niva correspondent Syamyon Pechanko was among them. I know him very well for several years. He had a journalist’s certificate with him. It was attached to his jacket. Like others, he was doing his job: he was making pictures, observed, and talked to people. He wasn’t scanning slogans, he had no flags or banners with him. I know him as a calm and even phlegmatic person. That is why I cannot imagine any aggressive actions on his part”.