Trial of Vitsebsk journalist Alena Stsiapanava delayed

The Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk returned the charges against her for review by the Kastrychnitski District Police Department of Vitsebsk.

The journalist was charged under Article 22.9, part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. According to the charges, she worked as a journalist for the foreign media Radio "Liberty" without the state accreditation.

However, the administrative article on the basis of which the administrative case was brought,
sounds as "violation of the established order of mailing free copies of periodicals, distribution of erotic publications, publication of refutations in mass media, as well as illegal production and distribution of media products." This is the possible reason why the violation report was returned to the police.

The trial is delayed, the date of the next hearing hasn't been announced so far. If found guilty, they journalists can be sentenced to a fine 2-5 million rubles.