Polish journalist case in Belarus adjourned until next week
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
17.06.2011 12:05
The trial of Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent of the Gazeta Wyborcza daily accused of defaming Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko, has been adjourned until 23 June.
Andrzej Poczobut. Photo: PAP
The move comes as prosecutors have filed a new bill of indictment against the journalist, with Belarusian law allowing courts five days to become acquainted with the new bill.
The journalist is accused of slander and defamation in a number of articles published on the Internet and in articles printed by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily.
The main accusation levelled against Poczobut is his alleged describing Lukashenko as a “dictator” and calling the latest elections in Belarus “false”, meaning the journalist could face a hefty jail sentence if found guilty.
Earlier this week, representatives of the Association of Poles in Belarus were detained in order to prevent them attending the first trial. Similarly the journalist’s family was not allowed to attend the court hearing, with the trial taking place behind closed doors.
According to unofficial information, the new bill of indictment does not differ from the initial one which was filed, although it is reported to contain more detailed analysis of Poczobut’s texts.
The journalist may face two years in prison if found guilty of insulting the president, and up to four years behind bars if the court decides he has defamed the Belarusian head of state. (ab/jb)