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Deputy editor of outlawed newspaper Zhoda stands trial over publication of Muhammad cartoons

A judge of the Minsk City Court on January 11 started hearing a criminal case that was opened in February 2006 against a deputy editor of the outlawed newspaper Zhoda over the reprinting of controversial Danish cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, BelaPAN said.

Alyaksandr Sdvizhkow stands accused of "inciting racial, national or religious enmity or discord" under Paragraph I of the Criminal Code's Article 130. If found guilty, he might face a prison term of up to five years.

The criminal proceedings were instituted following a complaint by Ismail Varanovich, mufti of the Spiritual Association of Muslims in Belarus.

Mr. Sdvizhkow denies guilt.

The trial is being held behind closed doors. The accused on Friday filed objection against the judge and requested that Mr. Varanovich be summoned to give testimony.

The Minsk-based newspaper was closed in March 2006. The Supreme Economic Court of Belarus found the staff guilty of defaming officials by publishing composite photographs featuring Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka and other prominent politicians and of "inciting racial, national or religious enmity or discord" by reprinting the cartoons.

International press watchdogs condemned the closure of the newspaper and the prosecution of the deputy editor.