(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 31 July 1998, on 27 July 1998, Igor Alexandrov, a host on regional television in Donetsk (eastern Ukraine), was sentenced to a five-year ban from working as a journalist and fined 2,500 grivnas (US$1,250.00) for “libel” by the Donetsk Tribunal. He is appealing the verdict. […]
(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 31 July 1998,
on 27 July 1998, Igor Alexandrov, a host on regional television in Donetsk
(eastern Ukraine), was sentenced to a five-year ban from working as a
journalist and fined 2,500 grivnas (US$1,250.00) for “libel” by the Donetsk
Tribunal. He is appealing the verdict.
The “libel” complaint was laid soon after the March 1998 legislative
elections by Alexandre Lechinski, a parliamentary candidate. Lechinski’s
election was annulled by the Central Commission for Voting Fraud. Lechinski
believes that comments made by Alexandrov caused him to lose the election.
In particular, Alexandrov has referred to Lechinski as the “uncrowned king
of the sale of vodka in the region” and warned that “the more Mr.
Lechinski’s business grows, the more orphans and handicapped people we will
have in the country.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
contradicts the country’s international obligations with regard to freedom
of the press
Appeals To
Mrs. Susan Stanik
Justice Minister
Kiev
Fax: +380 44 229 66 64
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
