Narodnaja Volya (Belarusian and Russian: ; ; English: "The People's Will") is an independent opposition newspaper founded by . Since its launch, it was opposed to the Alexander Lukashenko regime and served as a tribune for critics of the government. For that reason, Narodnaja Volya was always harassed by authorities, survived several closures and numerous huge fines. The journalists received death threats, were arrested and questioned by the police and KGB. Through the years such prominent persons as oppositionist Andrei Sannikov, journalists , and , writer Semen Bukchin, professor Vyacheslav Orgish, oppositionist Anatol Labiedzka, and future advisor to the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak were among Narodnaja Volya’s authors. Establishment and early years On March 17, 1995, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko fired Iosif Siaredzich from his post of the editor-in-chief at Narodnaja Gazeta. However, according to the state’s law, only the Parliament could reappoint chief editors. After the dismissal, Siaredzich launched his independent newspaper and called it Narodnaja Volya. The first issue of Narodnaja Volya was published on July 11, 1995. The publication had to use print shops in Vilnius, Lithuania, from December 1995 to early 1998. The pressure from the International community forced Belarusian authorities to allow printing within the country. By November 1997, its circulation was 55,000. The printing was moved to Minsk, Belarus in the private publishing house "Magic". It became the largest independent newspaper in Belarus. Siaredzich served as the editor-in-chief, and the deputy chief editor was Ivan Makalovich. 2000s Lawsuits and fines By 2001 Narodnaja Volya circulation reached 50,000. In August 2001 the authorities halted publication of the regular issue. On June 18, 2002, a Belarus district court froze Narodnaya Volya bank account because of defamation charges brought by two judges from Zhodzina. The judges sought in damages. On November 17, 2003, the Minsk City Court on 17 ordered Narodnaya Volya to pay (approx. US$23,000) in damages for libel against Yahor Rybakou, the chairman of the Belarusian State Television and Radio Company (BDT). The Court also ordered Narodnaya Volya journalist Maryna Koktysh and former television host Eleanora Yazerskaya to pay each to Rybakou. After an appeal, the fines for the journalists were reduced to , but the fine for the newspaper hadn’t change. On June 11, 2004, more than 400 people gathered on the October Square in Minsk to show their support to Narodnaya Volya. In 2005 the court ordered the newspaper to pay (approx.