Policeman uses violence towards journalist while drawing up violation report

On March 3 Maryna Malchanava, independent journalist from Babruisk, came to the police department to get an administrative report for violating mass media legislation.

The journalist was first summoned for interrogation on September 1. Lieutenant colonel Siarhei Rudzko questioned her about cooperation with the TV channel "Belsat".

“I spent 1,5 hours at Siarhei Rudzko's office, but refused to answer his questions, citing Article 27 of the Constitution”, said Maryna Malchanava. “The policeman also showed me a printout of the conversation with the heroine of one of my absolutely harmless media reports. It means that they have dragged this girl in it all, and she has to suffer for no reasons,” she told.

“Lieutenant colonel Rudzko plainly told me he would bring the case to court. He even sarcastically asked me how much I was paid in order to pick a “suitable” sum for the fine,” said Maryna Malchanava.

This time, the journalist expected that an administrative report would be drawn up, which actually happened.

“There was almost no questions related to the topic. He asked who I live with and how much I earn. I refused to answer saying the questions were irrelevant to the case.”

After questioning the journalist demanded to have a copy of the report, but the police officer forbade. She then copied the information by hand, but he grabbed out the paper. She tried to have it back, but the police officer bent her arms behind the back. The journalist left his office and complained to the duty officer, but no reaction followed. Siarhei Rudzko came out claiming that she wanted to tear the report apart. The journalist called her sisted, who was sitting in the foyer. Then the fight for procedural papers of her administrative case continued in the foyer, and finally the policeman gave in. The journalist got hold of the papers which she must have by all sensible laws, but the officer's behavior confused her a lot. She says she is going to complain against the policeman's actions.

The police officer has had his eye on Maryna Malchanava the whole year. In June, he summoned her to questioning without minutes. In April, she was threatened with a trial for an article about an anti-war picket.

Also, on September 1, journalist Yauhen Skrabets from Brest was summoned to give explanations about his article on the Radio «Racyja» website.