BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

12/02/2008

Independent Newspaper To Pay Damages To Belarusian Lawmaker

A Minsk city court on February 11 rejected an appeal filed by the newspaper "Novy chas" against a December ruling by the district court to pay 50 million rubles ($23,225) in damages to Syarhey Charhinets, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. Charhinets, a deputy in the upper chamber of the Belarusian legislature, accused "Novy chas" and journalist Alyaksandr Tamkovich of publishing in September 2007 an article that insulted his honor and dignity. Alyaksey Karol, editor in chief of "Novy chas," said that 50 million rubles is more than the newspaper's annual budget and that the court ruling is yet another step toward the liquidation of the independent press in Belarus. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/02/3-cee/cee-120208.asp

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