Court Rejects BPF Suit to Belarusian State TV and Radio Company

On 12 July Minsk Pershamayski Borough Court refused to initiate civil case on suit of Belarusian People’s Front to Belarusian State TV and Radio Company and the journalist Yury Prakopaw for slandering the BPF on TV on 25 April 2004.

In his speech Prakopaw stated that if the BPF comes to power all support programs to victims of Chernobyl tragedy would me stopped.

In its refusal the court referred to the ruling of the Plenum of the Supreme Soviet according to which only economy subjects can apply for defense of their business reputation in the case it is spoilt by other economy subjects or citizens. So, the court is of the opinion that the BPF, being non-commercial juridical body (as well as any other party) doesn’t have business reputation.

-- This controversy belongs to the field of political discussion that influences the forming of political views of citizens and is not subject to court consideration, -- is said in the court ruling.

The BPF is going to complain against it to the College of civil cases at Minsk City Court.