Alexei Minchonok: They Hit Projects Encouraged by Poland

The truth is hard to swallow for the authorities.

Cases initiated under Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (work for foreign media without accreditation) have recently become a usual thing for Belsat employees.

In the beginning of the summer equipment was seized in the office, videographer Aliaksandr Barozenka is allegedly tried for illegal use of Belsat label.

This is a purposeful pressure, Belsat representative in Belarus Alexei Minchonok stated in the commentary to Radio Racyja:

- We observe very strong pressure on journalists of the TV channe, which is funded by the Polish government. It should be understood. They hit projects encouraged by Poland. Everything happens against the background of this alleged "liberalization". Things happening to our journalists can only be called the pressure because, for example, our journalists are willfully persecuted in Homel.

The latest protocols are drawn up on journalists Stanislau Ivashkevich and Kanstanty Zhukouvski for "work without accreditation." On August 21 Zhukouski will "welcome" bailiffs to have his property distrained. Homel journalist faces confiscation of property because of unpaid fines he received for cooperation with Belsat. Only in the last three years he was fined 17 times for $6 thousand.