Reprisal raid against independent press

Slonim district executive committee threats to suspend or cancel licence for retail distribution of non-state “Gazeta Slonimskaya.”

The letter, received by the editor’s office of the newspaper, says it. It is signed by Mechyslau Kastsyuk, head of the district executive committee, the press service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists reports.

Local authorities state, cases when GS was distributed in improper places were recorded. The letter doesn’t name the concrete places where distributor of the newspaper were noticed, but the authorities warn they will resort to penal measures in case the violation is repeated.

As Viktar Valadashchuk, editor-in-chief of the newspaper, was explained in a private conversation, the case on the terrace steps of the district executive committee building was meant. “Gazeta Slonomskaya” distributor was going to the committee. The woman had some newspapers in her hands, and sold a copy to a passer-by, who asked it.

Viktar VAladashchuk thinks this reason is far-fetched. He doesn’t exclude by such actions the district executive committee is preparing for a conversation about licence renewal for retail distribution. The licence expires 25 June.

“The authorities are likely to be going to get rid of the non-state newspaper. By the way, our newspaper is the only registered one in the Hrodna district. It may be connected with coming parliamentary election,” the editor-in-chief says.

Viktar Valadashchuk reminds that they are forced to vacate the premises, the editorial office has been rending for 7 years. Renter – Republican Unitary enterprise “Slonimski Bytkombinat” – refuses to extend the rental contract and insists that journalists should vacate the office by 1 June.