By Anatoly LEMYSH, The Day
On June 30, the opposition newspaper Polityka (Politics) ceased
publication after losing a court appeal, editor-in-chief Oleh Liashko announced
at a press conference.
In June 1997 Liashko published a series of articles called "Spy Novel"
stating that a military unit in Odesa was carrying out radio intelligence
against NATO countries. Ukrainian authorities denied the charge and initiated
criminal proceedings against Polityka on a charge of "divulging
state secrets." Last December, Pechersk District Court in Kyiv already
ruled to close the newspaper based on this action. However, the Supreme
Court of Ukraine overturned the ruling and permitted Polityka to
be published. In the period from March to June, the newspaper had to change
printing houses seven times. On May 20, Moscow District Court in Kyiv decided
to close the newspaper, and this was upheld by the Court of Appeal.
In addition, over twenty criminal cases have been brought against Oleh
Liashko by officials "insulted" by Polityka, for a total of Hr 120,000,000.
According to Mr. Liashko, by closing the newspaper allegedly for "divulgence
of state secrets," the government is trying to restrict the freedom of
expression. He hopes the Supreme Court will again overrule the decision,
which the editor-in-chief thinks illegal. In the meantime, he is quite
determined to launch an electronic version of Polityka on the Internet,
for which, as we know, no permit is required. "No bans or personal threats
can intimidate us," said Liashko. The statement of Serhiy Peresunko, Social
Democratic Union Chairman and People's Deputy, disseminated in the mass
media, reads as follows: "The Social Democratic Union is deeply concerned
that with the presidential elections drawing nearer, government entities
create in this country the atmosphere of intolerance against dissent. By
means of his specific actions, the President demonstrates how right were
the international journalists' organizations which identified him, among
several odious rulers, a world-class enemy of the press."






