Sentences of opposition journalists reduced in Belarus

[Chris Doss]

Sentences of opposition journalists reduced in Belarus
MINSK. Aug 15 (Interfax-West) - The Grodno Regional Court has cut the 
sentences of Nikolai Markevich and Pavel Mozheiko, journalists who worked 
for the banned opposition newspaper Pagonya. They were charged with libeling 
the Belarussian president.

   The journalists are eligible for the amnesty law, so the Board of the 
Grodno Regional Court has cut their sentences to one year and 1.5 years, 
respectively.

   The Committee for Execution of Punishments will decide where Markevich 
and Mozheiko will serve their sentences.

   The journalists were found guilty of publishing information that insulted 
the honor and dignity of the Belarussian president, and sentenced to 2 and 
2.5 years in custody.

   The journalists have appealed for acquittal.

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