Affiliated media: Pershiy Region (1reg.by) , Online news outlet

Incident date: February 8, 2022

Attack type:

• Court trial

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Hantsavichy

Additional information:

The court fined the regional online news outlet Pershiy Region (1reg.by) BYN 11,200 for «distribution of extremist products» – publications with hyperlinks to the Telegram channels MotolkoPomogi and Maya Kraina Belarus. The media did not plead guilty, during the hearing, its representative Siarhei Bahrou clarified that the publications had been posted on the website Pershy Rehiyon even before the mentioned Telegram channels were recognised as extremist by the authorities. Nevertheless, the chairman of the Hantsavichy court decided to punish the website owner under Part 2 of Article 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offences and Part 5 of Article 23.5 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus.