A founder of the “Russian” newspaper was fined for 1 225 000 Belarusian Rubles

• 12.10.2010, 16:40

The court of Liozno district brought in a verdict of guilty with illegal distribution of “Vitebsk Courier” newspaper to Viktar Ramnyou, one of co-founders of the newspaper.

The judge Antanina Afanasieva condemned Ramnyou to a fine in the amount of 35 base amounts – 1 225 000 Belarusian Rubles. Printed copies are confiscated, “Radio Svaboda” reports.

Viktar Ramnyou claimed thrice to replace the judge, as she rejected the admission of Pavel Levinau to participation in the process, who was to act as a public representative of the accused and a specialist in this case. But the motions of Ramnyou were rejected.

Witnesses for the prosecution were the police officers of Liozno District Department of Internal Affairs, who detained Viktar Ramnyou on October, 8.

In the court room Ramnyou told that police officers stopped him on his way from Smolensk to Vitebsk and arrested 11 thousand copies of the newspaper.

The claims from the side of police officers were the following: Russian publications are to have a special permission for distribution in Belarus, which “Vitebsk Courier” registered in the Russian Federation, does not possess.