February 13, 2019
Editor on trial, faces possible 5-year sentence
MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The editor of the largest independent news website in Belarus is on trial for professional malfeasance in a case that could bring her a five-year prison sentence if convicted.
Tut.by editor Marina Zolatava’s trial began yesterday. She is charged in connection with other Tut journalists’ obtaining the password of the state news agency Belta and using it to get unauthorised access to subscriber-only material.
Prosecutors say the unauthorised access caused losses of about 70,000 rubles ($32,000) to Belta.
Zolatava told the court that she does not admit guilt.
News media are tightly controlled in authoritarian Belarus and independent journalists frequently come under official pressure.
