Independent editor faces fresh criminal charges in Kletsk

Authorities in the city of Kletsk, Minsk region have renewed criminal charges against Siargej Panamarou, the publisher and the editor of the local independent bulletin Bojki Kletsk (Lively Kletsk).  He has been summoned to a police investigator on August 16. Panamarou says that as far back as in 2000 he was charged with slandering a local legal counsel.

The criminal case was closed only in June 2007 after linguistic experts found no mention of slander in the publication's articles.

However, right after Siargej Panamarou filed an application with the local authorities, seeking permission to stage a picket in defense of political prisoner Alexander Kozulin, his criminal case was re-opened, reports Radio Svaboda.  

Radio Svaboda