Hearing of "extremist materials" case scheduled for October
The case associated with the "extremist" printed materials will be heard in October. A court in Hrodna on Thursday refused to consider this case over printed matters that were confiscated by Belarusian border guards in various years. The hearing has been postponed and will take place after the elections in October. The case was opened by the Hrodna regional branch of the State Security Committee (KGB) against nine people: journalist Andrzej Pisalnik, United Civic Party member Uladzimir Laryn, current and former students of the Kalinouski Program Yauhen Skrabatun, Aliaksei Trubkin, Dzmitry Malchyk, Barys Haretski, human rights activist Valery Schukin, Yury Martsinovich and Dzmitry Yodka.
The security agency insists that the confiscated materials were of "extremist mature". Now KGB is asking court to help figure out what is so extremist in those materials.
Andrei Bastunets, a deputy chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, notes that many materias to appear in court were confiscated before the law on extremism came into force. He adds that if the court considers the materials extremistic, those who produced or disseminated them could also be subjected to prosecution, reports Charter'97.
The security agency insists that the confiscated materials were of "extremist mature". Now KGB is asking court to help figure out what is so extremist in those materials.
Andrei Bastunets, a deputy chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, notes that many materias to appear in court were confiscated before the law on extremism came into force. He adds that if the court considers the materials extremistic, those who produced or disseminated them could also be subjected to prosecution, reports Charter'97.
