Iryna Khalip: I Will Express My Opinion Publicly In Court

• 2.12.2019, 11:15

A protocol has been drawn up against the well-known journalist.

Today well-known journalist Irina Khalip has been summoned to the Tsentralny district police department. The Charter97.org website asked one of the leaders of the European Belarus civil campaign, well-known journalist Iryna Khalip to comment:

- Iryna, can you tell us about your visit to the Tsentralny district police department?

- I was handed a protocol, which says that I came to Kastrychnitskaya Square to express publicly my attitude to the results of the upcoming "elections", and was shouting out slogans "Long Live Belarus!" during the rally. That was all, actually.

It is an administrative offense from their point of view. They drew up a protocol. A court session will be scheduled.

- So, it turns out that in our country, even Yanka Kupala, who created the famous slogan, can also be convicted in absentia for "Long Live Belarus"? One cannot say such a thing, right?

- Yes of course. It is forbidden! And it turns out that it is also forbidden to express publicly one's attitude to "elections". Public expression of an opinion is considered an administrative offence.

- What do you intend to do in this situation?

- I do not intend to do anything in this situation. I wrote that I do not agree with the protocol. This is the only thing I could do. I will once again express my opinion publicly in court, - Iryna Khalip said.