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Prosecutor general warns police against interfering with reporters' work during street protests

 

Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich has written to Interior Minister Anatol Kulyashow, warning that the police must not interfere with reporters' work during mass events.

The letter comes as a response to a complaint that a group of journalists sent to the prosecutor general earlier this week to protest their illegal mistreatment by plainclothesmen during recent "silent" anti-government protests. Some were grabbed by unidentified people in civilian clothes, while others were manhandled and had pictures and videos deleted from their cameras and expensive equipment damaged.

In his letter to the interior minister, Mr. Vasilevich refers to the Media Law, which allows reporters to provide coverage of mass events.

The letter notes that journalists must observe laws and produce their press passes to officials while covering protests.

According to the prosecutor general, police officers have the powers to restrict or deny people's access to certain areas, as well as to order people to leave certain areas for the sake of ensuring personal and public security. Reporters also must obey such orders, he says.

However, he adds, the police must take into consideration that "journalists' work to gather and report information" is part of their professional duties and is based on laws.

Mr. Vasilevich calls for ensuring that both police officers and reporters can perform their duties and exercise their lawful rights.

The Prosecutor General's Office has ordered an inquiry into punishment imposed on reporters arrested during such protests. // BelaPAN