Babruisk journalist questioned by Investigative Committee
On April 1, chief editor of the Bobruiskiy kurier independent weekly Anatol Sanatsenka was questioned at the Babruisk interdistrict department of the Investigative Committee, press-service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists reports.
The editor was interrogated in a criminal case opened under Article 369 of the Criminal Code (insulting a public official).
The main suspect in the case is the famous blogger Aleh Zhalnou. According to Anatol Sanatsenka, questioning was correct and carried out under the Criminal Procedural Code. Although from time to time the investigator asked questions on the issues relating directly to the personality of Mr. Sanatsenka. The editor refused to answer these quesitons.
On February 7, 2014, Babruisk City Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal case under Art. 369 of the Criminal Code for “public insult upon the representative of authority in connection with the performance of his duties”.
In 2012-2013, an unknown person allegedly posted on the personal blog of Aleh Zhalnou and other resources a number of offensive materials against a police Major Yauhen Serashtanau.
On October 24, 2013, the blogger’s apartment was searched for seven hours. As a result, all the electronic equipment was seized (it has not been yet returned to their owner).
However, the Investigative Committee, who launched the probe, did not open a criminal case. It was later opened by Babruisk City Prosecutor’s Office, who forwarded the case to the Investigative Committee.
