BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

19/12/2007

Watchdog Calls On Belarusian Lawmaker To Drop Suit Against Paper

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a statement calling on Mikalay Charhinets, a lawmaker in Belarus's upper chamber, to drop a lawsuit he brought against the "Novy Chas" independent newspaper, Belapan reported on December 18. Charhinets, who heads the Committee on International Affairs and National Security in the Council of the Republic, seeks 600 million rubles ($278,000) in damages from the newspaper, claiming that a story it ran in September insults his honor and dignity. "We are concerned about the charges against Novy Chas, which could result in the closure of one of only a handful of independent publications remaining in Belarus," the CPJ said in a statement. "We call on Mikalay Charhinets to immediately drop his lawsuit. As a public figure, he is subject to higher scrutiny and media criticism than private citizens." A Minsk district court begins hearing the case on December 19. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/12/3-cee/cee-191207.asp