Mahilou Region Court dismisses appeal by opposition activist

The Court of the Mahilou Region did not find any grounds to allow an appeal by Syarhei Nyahatin against the judgement of the court of the Leninski district of Mahilou.

The appeal was heard by judge Syarhei Koneu, Radio Svaboda reports.

On April 12, judge of the Leninski district court Aksana Ratnikava found Syarhei Nyahatsin guilty of violating the law on mass media and fined him 3m rubles. Under the jdugement, the activist was distributing the newspaper “Zdes i Seichas” without signing a contract for distribution with the newspaper. The judge said it was a violation of the law on the media.

“I defended myself referring to the constitutional right to spread information. I was confident the Constitutions is above all other laws. The judge said our Constitution does not have direct effect like the US Constitution, so other laws are applied. Such nuances in legislation we have. The main law seems to be a presidential decree and the Constitution is the last in the hierarchy of laws. I will appeal against the court decision in higher instances,” Syarhei Nyahatin says.

Human rights activists say a verdict to Nyahatin for “distribution of a newspaper without a contract” is unprecedented in Belarus. “Zdes i Seichas” paper is not registered officially, so no official permissions for distribution are needed.