The threats were made after a message was aired stating a local businesswoman had been evading taxes for several years.
(CJES/IFEX) – On 4 December 2009, the organization Adil Soz reported that Yelena Kulakova, editor-in-chief of Temirtau television and Sfera news, has received threats from local businesswoman Mysykbekova and several unknown individuals.
The threats were made to the journalist because of a “crawler” message aired on Sfera, stating that Mysykbekova had been evading taxes for several years. She was reportedly asked to urgently come to the investigations department of the city financial police. The program aired following instructions from the financial police department, via a letter from officer Zh. Agubayeva to Sfera.
The day after the message aired, Mysykbekova went to the Sfera editorial office in the company of two unknown men and said the information contained in the “crawler” message was slanderous. The businesswoman insisted on a retraction and demanded a video of the “crawler” message, but Kulakova refused to provide it. Mysykbekova then started to yell that she would “bury everyone” and demanded the official letter from the financial police, threatening Kulakova with dismissal. After failing to get the letter, Mysykbekova and the two men left, but the men warned Kulakova they would talk “differently” with her.
