Sergey Serebro and Elena Stepanova in one day received the same letter with the title "Know where language can bring." Someone signing the name of Eugene Mishakov, criticizes the information policy of "Radio Liberty" and "BelaPAN" and insults independent journalists. However, in the text of the letter does not name names, but the author's intentions, sent a letter to the specific address beyond doubt.
Independent journalists put the letters received on its Facebook page. Sergey Serebro asked colleagues if they did not get something like that. But while the recipients of the unknown "well-wisher" there were only two.
Elena Stepanova told about a letter received by the following: "Signed, probably fictional. Return address and wound up probably for a" one-time dispatch. "At least I have asked this Eugene Mishakov, if he does not confuse something, but the answer not received. At the very letter - some strained attempts to sneer at what journalists write critical texts about the Belarusian reality. Allegedly, materials biased, and that the implementation of "orders," and attempts to earn cheap popularity and name in journalism. Say "wordsmiths" and "whales microphone" act immorally, looking for scandals in the search for high fees and glory ... Meanwhile, this Eugene Mishakov writes about the events to which we, the local journalists engaged in local issues, not even address - the relations between Belarus and Venezuela, the visits of heads of state to each other ... But at the end of the letter - the obvious threat, such as that due to your long tongue can get in "places not so remote" ... "
The last paragraph of the letter to independent journalists "remind" the existence of the Law "On the basis of crime prevention," although it is unclear what to do with it are members of this profession. And also afraid of the articles of the Penal Code for "discrediting the Republic of Belarus" and "calls to action to the detriment of the external security of the Republic of Belarus, its sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and defense. "
Recall from Elena Stepanova and Sergey Serebro few years ago raided, they sent the article from the local newspaper "Vitbichi" where a disrespectful tone wrote about a member of the CCP BPF Sergei Kovalenko, who posted a flag on a Christmas tree, and that independent journalists properly illuminate this act ... Sergey Serebro, editor of the website "People's news of Vitebsk", sometimes not let the camera on city events. Against Elena Stepanova three weeks ago, the police initiated an administrative action for alleged violation of media law, but the October district court did not take it into consideration.
Viasna Human Rights Center
