Minsk court throws out case filed by human rights activist against presidential newspaper

The Minsk City Court on June 18 upheld the verdict of Savetski District Court in the case of Aleh Vouchak, a prominent human rights activist who filed a suit against the pro-presidential newspaper Sovietskaya Belorussia. The legal action was based on the March 6, 2009 artilcle written in a form of a topical satire which mentioned Belarus' human rights activists, including Aleh Vouchak.

The activist demanded Br70 million as a compensation for moral damages.

The Belapan news agency reports that Vouchak plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.