Journalist summoned to police in Svetlahorsk

On January 16, an official summons to the Svetlahorsk police department was received by local member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Larysa Schyrokava. She is expected to appear as a witness at the police department on January 19, according to the press service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

The summons reportedly deals with the journalist’s work at the venue of a single picket, which was staged on November 25 by local activist Yury Liashenka. Then he was detained, charged with an administrative offense and fined for holding an unauthorized event.

Mr. Liashenka visited the police station on January 15. He was asked whether journalists Larysa Schyrakova and Kanstantsin Zhukouski took part in the event. The policeman also asked if they helped the activist make a poster and hold it in their hands.

Yury Liashenka said that it was a one-man picket, and that the journalists did not participate in the event, but only helped him get into the car, as he is a wheelchair user.

Larysa Schyrakova does not rule out that she and it will try and Kanstantsin Zhukouski would be charged with participating in an unsanctioned event.