English

Founder of Belarus' largest web portal threatens to sue journalist Natallya Radzina

Yury Ziser, the founder of Belarus' largest web portal tut.by, told BelaPAN on Monday that he might file a slander suit against journalist Natallya Radzina for publicly accusing him of corruption.

During an OSCE conference that was held in Vienna, Austria, on February 14 and 15, Ms. Radzina, editor of Belarusian opposition news site charter97.org, attacked Mr. Ziser for his apparent approval of Alyaksandr Lukashenka's February 2010 edict that tightened the government's control over the Internet.

Also participating in the conference, "Internet 2013—Shaping Policies to Advance Media Freedom," was Uladzimir Rabavolaw, first deputy head of the Presidential Administration's Operational and Analytical Center (OAC), which is responsible for implementing the edict.

The edict requires Belarusian companies to sell and advertise their goods and services in Belarus exclusively through Belarusian-hosted sites.

"Why did the [Belarusian] foreign ministry recommend that Yury Ziser be invited to this conference and [why] is he inseparable with the representative of the OAC?" Ms. Radzina said. "Because he owns the largest hosting company in Belarus and made a superprofit thanks to this edict. That is why, while speaking from 'high tribunes,' this businessman claims that the Internet censorship edict was adopted in consultation with civil society. However, what really took place was an ordinary corruption deal between authorities and a specific businessman."

In the interview with BelaPAN, Mr. Ziser described these remarks as a textbook example of slander. "However, I will not go to court in Belarus, or else Radzina will say that she is a victim of our authorities," he said. "I can file a suit in Vienna, where the offense was committed. Austrian judges will definitely be independent and fair."

Mr. Ziser said that he would soon decide whether to sue Ms. Radzina. "At the moment, I'm not sure whether I need this," he said. "On the one hand, it's necessary to save my honor and dignity. On the other hand, I pity Radzina. She doesn't stand a chance in court."

Mr. Ziser said that he if decided to take legal action, he would demand no only an apology but also damages.

He expressed puzzlement that Ms. Radzina's allegations had drawn a lot of media attention. "There were many VIPs at the conference, but everybody is talking about me and Radzina," he said.