Journalists hindered in their work and intimidated by riot policemen again (Photo, video)
- 13.08.2010, 13:01
During a flash-mob in the centre of Minsk policemen in mufti hindered work of journalists again.
Lenses of cameras of our colleagues who were covering the rally of “Tell the Truth” campaign near the Education Ministry building on August 12 were shielded by policemen.
As the press-service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists was told by a reporter of the European Radio For Belarus Zmitser Lukashuk who was at the scene of events, journalists’ work was obstructed by actions of policemen in mufti. It is clear from a video footage made by Zmitser during talks with an unknown: first he demanded the journalist to show accreditation document, and nevertheless prohibited filming.
That man who called himself a deputy head of the main directorate of the Interior Affairs of Minsk seized the camera of Yuliya Darashevich. A journalist of “Salidarnasts” Ruslan Harbachou is at the picture as well (photo by Radio Svaboda)
Halina Abakunchyk, Radio Svaboda reporter, was seized the mobile phone with which she was making a video of the detention of one of the participants of the rally, Mikhail Pashkevich
Beside Zmitser Lukashuk, arbitrariness of law-enforcers was faced by a staffer of the video department of “Nasha Niva” website Tatsyana Haurylchyk, a photo reporter of the same online edition Yuliya Darashkevich, a journalist of “Radio Svaboda” Halina Abakunchyk, a photo reporter Uladzimir Hrydzin.
Activists of “Tell the truth” campaign planned to forward a petition to Minister Alyaksandr Radzkou with a call to disband the Youth Affairs department under the Education Ministry, and also to show “Calendar of the Belarusian Youth Life” to journalists and passers-by.
Printed materials were seized by people in mufti with walkie-talkies who were on duty near the ministry building before the rally.
The young people managed to get into the building of the ministry where a man who presented himself as a minister’s aide, took the petition to Radzkou.
Journalists were allowed to enter the building only after they switched off their equipment.
After the rally was over, Mikhail Pashkevich was detained. The activist was detained by two men in mufti and taken to the car near “Minsk” hotel. Journalists were prevented from following Pashkevich.
Since September 2009 hindering activities of journalists has a systematic nature. As a rule, they are not allowed to observe and film the events and hindered by people in mufti, who later turn out to be policemen.