Freedom of the Press 2007: Belgium

Press freedom groups condemn the numerous judicial decisions aimed at preventing the publication of information in the public interest by four Belgian media outlets.

A court sentenced former deputy director of BelaPAN Andrei Aliaksandrau to 14 years in prison, former director Dzmitry Navazhylau to six years, and current director and chief editor Iryna Leushyna to four years.

The Belgian court has authorized a poster entitled “The Chebeya Scandal: A State Crime?” by filmmaker Thierry Michel. The filmmaker had been sued by the former Inspector General of the Congolese National Police, who also sought to have the poster banned.