Independent Journalist Appealed Heavy Fine

The regional court of Homel will consider the case.

On March 9, Andrei Tolchin, a freelance journalist from Homel, challenged the ruling of the Kalinkavichy district judge Sviatlana Kuheika to the regional court. On February 28, the judge brought him to an administrative fine of 40 basic units (980 rubles) for cooperation with the independent television channel Belsat, Homelskaya Viasna reports.

The court found the journalist guilty under art. 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, Part 2 ("illegal production and distribution of media products").

"December 27, 2017 being near the house #1 on Shlykava street in the village of Kaplichy, Kalinkavichy region, being unaccredited as a journalist of foreign media, illegally produced information material, namely, a video clip called "Elections 2018. Agricultural settlement rebells against the power", which was subsequently demonstrated by the Polish television channel Belsat," - to this conclusion the district judge came.

Lawyer Leanid Sudalenka, who helps journalists to appeal fines, said that the judge took responsibility for the failure to comply with articles 23 and 34 of the Constitution and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"The right to receive and disseminate information may be subject to certain restrictions, but they should not only be provided for by law, but also be necessary for national security, public order, for protection of morals, public health, rights and freedoms of others. Restricting the rights of the journalist, the court could not demonstrate, in order to achieve which of the above goals, it brings him to justice," – the expert stressed.

This is the second major fine for the freelance journalist Andrei Tolchyn for his cooperation with Belsat this year. On January 18, the Svetlahorsk district court brought him to justice and fined with 45 basic values (1,102 rubles).