Investigation of Poczbut's case extended for a month

• 21.11.2012, 8:40

The investigation has already been extended several times.

“The investigation has been extended to carry out additional investigative procedures. A number of linguistic analyses were appointed to give an objective evaluation of the actions by the defendant,” said lieutenant colonel of justice Syarhei Shershanevich, an official representative of the Investigation Committee department for the Hrodna region.

The measure of restraint was not changed. The journalist is still restricted to leave the country.

Andrzej Poczobut told Radio Svaboda he had not been summoned for interrogations, because he refused to cooperate with investigation when he was in the detention centre.

The Hrodna-based correspondent for Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland) was arrested in June and later released on his own recognizance. Andrzej Poczobut was accused of libel against Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

The reason for the accusation was Poczbut's articles on the websites charter97.org and Belorusski Partizan. He may face up to 5 years in prison.