Police question independent journalist in “defamation” case

Bialynichy-based journalist Barys Vyrvich has been questioned about Belsat TV staff.

A district police officer at a Bialynichy police department, lieutenant Aliaksandr Yemialyanau, visited the publisher of Moglevski Vybor newspaper this morning. The policeman wanted to know how information about Lebiadzianka farm had appeared on Belsat TV and if the independent journalists, who had made a reportage, were employed by Belsat, Viasna human rights centre reports.

“Aliaksandr  Yemialyanau, the district police officer at the Bialynichy police department, visited me at home in the town of Vialikaya Mashchanitsa at 9:40,” Barys Vyrvich says. “The policeman asked if I lived there with my family and if I published Mogilevski Vybor newspaper. A formal reason for the visit was a statement by Mikhail Bialou, an employee of Liabiadzianka farm and a nephew of the farm's former director Piotr Bialou. He reported that Valery Vusik had defamed him during his and independent journalists' visit to Lebiadzianka on February 28. Information about the visit appeared later on Belsat TV. I don't know why they think I had relation to the incident. I was not even present when they were shooting the reportage.

I was surprised by the questions that interested Aliaksandr Yemialyanau. He asked who and when started to publish Mogilevski Vybor, who visited Lebiadzianka farm and how the story appeared on Belsat. The police officer also asked me if the independent journalists, who had visited the farm, were employed by Belsat. It looks strange. What relation do I and Mogilevski Vybor newspaper have to that matter?” he says.

The journalist says he has the impression that the police officer was most interested in the independent journalists, who had covered the story, and their possible cooperation with Belsat TV.

“My replies to most of his questions were 'I don't know'. Aliaksandr Yemialyanau finished questioning at 10:20 and went away. I'd like to notice that, in my opinion, Yemelianau's questions were prepared beforehand,” Barys Vyrvich said.