For Freedom regional activist to face eighth prosecution within two years

Siarhei Panamarou, member of the For Freedom movement and publisher of the Boiki Kletsk independent newsletter from Kletsk, Minsk region, is likely to face another criminal charge under Article 188-2 of the Criminal Code (libel).

In 2007, he was charged with libel against local state legal advisor Natallia Semashkevich in a publication in the Boiki Kletsk. The criminal prosecution was five times suspended and five times resumed. Two different expert assessments failed to find any violations of the Criminal Code. This time, the article is going to undergo another examination.

At the same time, Salihorsk Financial Investigation Department is going to inspect Mr.Panamarou’s business activity by order of Minsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office. As yet, the activist refused to provide any explanations, since the department officials failed to produce any warrant.

Siarhei Panamarou says the authorities are attempting to stop his publishing activities, as well as his Internet project.