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| Title | Belarusian journalist charged with insulting police |
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Country | Belarus |
| Publication Date | 10 October 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Belarusian journalist charged with insulting police, 10 October 2011, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4e9ea7a8a.html [accessed 5 June 2012] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Belarusian journalist charged with insulting police
October 10, 2011
Kastus Shytal
MYORY, Belarus – Independent Belarusian journalist Kastus Shytal has been charged with verbally insulting police, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.
Shytal was arrested on October 7 while he was heading to the town of Myory in the eastern province of Vitsebsk. Traffic police stopped the car in which Shytal was riding and told him that his appearance was identical to that of a man suspected of breaking into a car.
Police then took him to Myory, where he was questioned about "verbally insulting the police." Police claim that Shytal used foul language and refused to show his identification when asked.
At his trial on October 10, Shytal pleaded not guilty and demanded the traffic police who detained him and claim he insulted them be brought into the courtroom to testify.
Judge Vadzim Drabysheuski agreed to that request and adjourned the hearing until October 17.
Shytal said his arrest and the charges against him are politically motivated. He said the local authorities wanted him isolated so he would not be able to cover the opposition "people's assembly" held in the nearby town of Dzisna on October 8.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
Topics: Freedom of expression,
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