September 3 independent journalist in the Vitebsk oblast prosecutor's office issued an official warning for cooperation without accreditation publication is not registered in the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Vladimir Zhigulov prosecutor refused to give an explanation to Paul Zaitsev, referring to the right against self-incrimination guaranteed by Art. 27 of the Constitution.

And the prosecutor immediately announced the official paper that had been prepared in advance, Paul Levinov human rights activist said: "I was present at a meeting with the prosecutor as a public representative Vladimir Zhigulov. Both Mr. Zaitsev, saying the prosecutor's office aware of a violation of the law Vitebsk freelance journalist immediately got an official paper. He was ready , so any explanation caused by the prosecutor's office Zhigulova nothing whatever weighed."

A few years ago, staff of the newspaper "Vitebsk Courier" put a lot of effort for registration in Belarus. But the matter was in vain . After several failures to maintain the status of legal newspaper , had to register in Russia , in nearby Smolensk. But all these years, the prosecutor's office was not interested in publishing and claims to the media was not. The situation changed after the Internet site of the newspaper articles appeared about the doctor Igor Pastnove placed on compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital .

Said Vladimir Zhigulov: "Many in Vitebsk believe that Postnova placed in a mental hospital for criticizing the authorities and the health care system. He said that he repeatedly threatened by this . But the staff of the hospital where he worked before , and now became a patient Igor Pastnov , avoid the attention of journalists . I have already tried unsuccessfully to meet with Elena Martynova , head physician of the regional center of Psychiatry and Addiction . and her deputy , to which I was sent , all from the conversation with me dodged : he said he would not give an interview to the unregistered Belarusian " Vitebsk courier" . Thus , no interviews, no . But the deputy chief doctor Igor Svirkunov testified that I turned to him . and that was the main reason that the prosecutor has accused me . "

74 - year-old journalist, said that the warning will not stop him , because he considers it illegal. He says that everyone has the right to receive and impart information regardless of whether he is a journalist or not. And that requiring mandatory accreditation and registration of local publications in Belarus in general is a ban on the profession of journalism .

BAJ