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The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir has started a visit to Minsk by meeting with the leadership of the Belarusian Association of Journalists and representatives of non-state media.

The Investigative Committee has instigated on the criminal case under Art. 349 Part 2 of the Criminal Code (unauthorized access to computer information, made of other personal interest that results in substantial harm). Guilty: Zolatava to Pay a Fine and BelTA Costs Statement of the Belarusian Association of Journalists and Belarusian Pen Center on Conviction of Maryna Zolatava

UN Member states acknowledged in the 1995 Beijing platform the important role media plays in shaping the public’s perception of women in society and their role in the advancement of women, but recent studies highlight how little progress has been made and the continued use of gender-based stereotypes in the media. 

On March 4 Zavadski court of Minsk imposed a fine of 7, 650 BYN and BelTA's court costs of 6, 000 BYN on Maryna Zolatava, the chief editor of the most popular Belarusian Internet portal Tut.by, for "dereliction of duty" (Art. 425 of the Criminal Code). The verdict has not become final yet.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the heavy fine that a court in Minsk imposed today on Maryna Zolatava, the editor of the leading news website Tut.by. The fine is just one more attempt to intimidate the few remaining independent media outlets in Belarus, RSF said.

Zavodski district court of Minsk has announced the verdict to Maryna Zolatava, the chief editor of the portal Tut.by. Zolatava has been found guilty of dereliction of duty, which resulted in significant harm to the state and public interests. Maryna Zolatava must pay a fine of 300 base values (7,650 BYN). Zolatava is restricted from leaving the country before the judgment enters into legal force. In addition, Maryna Zolatava must also pay BelTA 6,000 BYN of sue charges. Hard drives, laptops, a mobile phone, and system unit will be returned to her. The court also ruled to return the equipment seized during the searches to the editors of Tut.by.

It's been a week since the start of the trial against chief editor of Tut.by Maryna Zolatova. For five days, the court has ben questionning witnesses and representatives of the injured parties.

The trial of Maryna Zolatava, editor-in-chief of the popular news portal TUT.BY, will start on February, 12 in Minsk.

Olga Vallee, FOJO Media Institute program coordinator arrived in Minsk at the invitation of the Belarusian Association of Journalists. She was supposed to have a meeting with young journalists.