Judge from Rivne tried to drive out journalist from the court

Serhiy Bahlyk the judge of the Rivne Court of Appeal tried to drive out Viktoria Mamotiuk, the journalist of the Rivne news website "VSE"(ALL) from the courtroom because she was using the phone to film the hearing. Journalist posted about it on her Facebook page and confirmed it to the the IMI regional representative of IMI.
The incident took place on Dec.8 in the premises of the court.

"Like other colleagues, I recorded a video for further use in the material. Bahlyk saw it and asked if I held the phone, I said that I was recording a video. Afterwards, he immediately said to employee: "Lead her out!" His argument - the phone can ring and interfere the audio recording of the meeting. It is important to clarify that I have never violated order in the court, and even if I did, he could ask me to leave only after the second notice. So I refused to perform illegal demands of Bahlyka and continued to work in the courtroom", - explained journalist.

In case of non-fulfilment the disposal of chairman by other persons present in the courtroom, the chairman warning them about liability for disrespect the court. In case of repeated violation of the order in the courtroom the person(s) can be removed from the courtroom and brought to responsibility prescribed by law due to the court decree."

Viktoria Mamotiuk explained to IMI that she was at the hearing preparing material for the site in the continuation the case of the 15-year-old Iryna Omelkovets death in the accident.