(GHM/IFEX) – GHM is expressing its profound concern for the harassment of Greek journalist Thodoros Varikos in a trial held in Resen on 17 November 1998. During that trial against Macedonian citizen Nikolas Konstantinidis, the presiding judge Biljana Jonovska had the journalist detained during part of the proceedings because he was taking notes. Varikos, who […]
(GHM/IFEX) – GHM is expressing its profound concern for the harassment of
Greek journalist Thodoros Varikos in a trial held in Resen on 17 November
1998. During that trial against Macedonian citizen Nikolas Konstantinidis,
the presiding judge Biljana Jonovska had the journalist detained during part
of the proceedings because he was taking notes.
Varikos, who is a stringer for the daily “Avghi” and works at the state ERT
television group, was in fact exercising a right that is universally
applicable in open trials held in democratic countries. Only the use of
electronic recording devices may be restricted by the court. Judge Jonovska
had nevertheless prohibited even note-taking.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Prime Minister and Information Secretary:
urging them to do everything in their power to ensure the free access of
all journalists to open trials held in the Macedonian territory
organizations have in the past monitored trials in Macedonia in which
monitors as well as journalists were freely taking notes
particular judge and atypical for Macedonia
steps
to avoid its recurrence in the future.
Appeals To
Mrs. Ana Panovska
Information Secretary
Skopje, Macedonia
Fax: +389 91 114 162Mr. Branko Crvenkovski
Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia
c/o Liaison Office in Athens
Fax: +30 1 674 9572
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
