Journalist in Mahiliou complains about ban on attending Regional Council’s meeting

Uladzimir Laptsevich, a reporter for the BelaPAN news agency, has filed a complaint in the Mahiliou Regional Court against two officials of the Regional Council of Deputies, including its Chairman Mr. Isachenka, who prevented the journalist from attending a meeting of the Council. In addition, Uladzimir Laptsevich asks the court to order these individuals not to interfere with attending public meetings of the Regional Council in the future.

The journalist says that over the last few years he has covered the most important events in the economic, social and other spheres of life in the region, including the sessions of the Mahiliou Regional Council of Deputies and had no complaints from both officials and deputies. However, for unknown reasons since January he has faced a ban on attending the sessions of the Regional Council.

On November 19, Laptsevich was received by the Council’s chairman Mr. Isachenka who said that the journalist was not on the list of invited persons. Meanwhile, the official could not explain how Mr. Laptsevich could be included in the list.

On November 24, the reporter tried again to get to the session of the Regional Council, but was once again prevented to attend it. This time, he was stopped by chief specialist of the Mahiliou Regional Executive Committee Mr. Nalhachau.