Journalist Elena Stepanova received written notice of the October Vitebsk police department that an administrative case against her has been canceled. However, it is not an official decree was sent, and the time limit for appealing against the decision has expired.
Instead of ruling on the abolition of the administrative case filed April 15 the October employee of the police department Sergei Veraksa in konvertse was only a letter with a message that more puzzled than pleased journalist.
"Decision on the abolition of the administrative case I have not sent. And from that letter, which says that the terms of an administrative penalty has passed, and so it's canceled, I found very strange things. According to police, I have no accreditation collaborated with "Radio Free Europe - Radio Freedom" - is written in a letter signed by the deputy chief of the October police department A. Zaharchenkov.
It is so called Russian Service radio, which has its own website and airtime, and primarily covers the events in Russia. Any materials of Vitebsk on 20.01.2014, at the site is not, although police say that on this day I "covered the events taking place in the city of Vitebsk journalist without accreditation". Thus violating Article 1 of claim 1 of the Belarusian law "On Mass Media"... a complete mess, which reminded me of a warning regional prosecutor's office, announced in 2012. It said that I am supposed to cooperate with the Czech Radio Liberty edited. Which has not existed for over 10 years" - Elena Stepanova said.
Vitebsk human rights activist, member of the NGO "Belarusian Association of Journalists", Pavel Levinov noticed in a letter from the police not only actual confusion, but also tort journalist:
"The Case Against Elena Stepanova canceled on April 25. However the October letter from the police department dated May 2. Laid Not for 5 days, but only on the seventh day. Elena just received a letter on May 3, the next day was a holiday, so that 10 - day period to appeal the decision of the police she "left" one day. rather, the police did not even think that the journalist wants to file a complaint, as the case and so canceled. But canceled it, I want to see, not because of lack of proof of the offense, but only because of due to the fact that the last 2 months, during which the matter can be sent to the court and to penalize. Therefore, I believe, to protect their interests Elena Stepanova ought to end, since it is not the first time trying to prosecute for journalistic activities."
In the summer of 2013, the same person the October police department Sergey Veraksa prepared documents in the administrative case against Elena Stepanova and even sent them to court October district. However, Judge Ina Hrabovska returned materials back to the police: she refused to tell a journalist, because I do not see reasonable violations of the law.
Belarusian Association of Journalists
