Hrodna Regional Court turns down appeal by journalist Mikhail Karnevich

On December 18, Judge Mikalai Rachynski of the Hrodna Regional Court dismissed the appeal of journalist Mikhail Karnevich. The BAJ member challenged the ruling of Judge Alena Piatrova of the Leninski District Court, who actually convicted the journalist for the performance of his professional duties during the celebration of the 1863 uprising memorial day held in Svislach and Yakushouka on October 26. Mikhail Karnevich is officially accredited as a journalist with Radio Liberty and had an assignment from the editorial office. However, Judge Piatrova ignored these documents and illegally treated Karnevich as a participant in an “illegal event” and fined him 15 basic units.

At a meeting of the Regional Court, Mikhail Karnevich asked to consider his complaint fairly and in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Belarus. However, the judge did not ask the journalist a single question. As a result, the consideration of the appeal lasted about three minutes.