Jacek Protasiewicz: “Declarations by Belarusian authorities are just fine words”

Brussels protests against ten-day arrest of Belsat’s TV journalist.

On February 4, the Savetski district court of Minsk sentenced journalist Ivan Shulha to ten days of administrative arrest on an accusation of disorderly conduct. The journalist was detained the previous day during a militia attack on the apartment rented by a Belsat’s journalist in Minsk. The European Parliament expressed his concern over the arrested journalist.

The journalist was sentenced over article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences. According to evidence of militiamen, the court took into consideration, the young man allegedly insulted them, hit one of them and tore off a chevron from his uniform.

Before announcement of the court decision MEP Konrad Szymanski called on the European Commission to immediately defend Belsat TV’s journalist Ivan Shulha. Jacek Protasiewicz, head of the delegation for relations Belarus, made a special statement on the situation.

“This is another example of how the Belarusian authorities block independent initiatives in every possible way. Declarations about democratic standards are just fine words. The EU cannot regard this as a normal situation,” Belsat quotes Jacek Protasiewicz.

According to Jacek Protasiewicz, these events will influence EU–Belarus talks, for instance, a decision on composition of a Belarusian delegation in Euronest (a joint representation of the European Parliament and country members of the Eastern Partnership programme).

“These actions show that the Belarusian government cannot be considered a serious partner,” head of the delegation for relations with Belarus Jacek Protasiewicz said.