(WAN/IFEX) – In a 15 November 2000 letter to President Alexander Lukashenko, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern over an armed robbery on the independent newspaper “Shag”. According to reports, on 5 November the Baranovichi offices of “Shag”, Belarus’ largest independent regional daily, were broken into by armed robbers and […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 15 November 2000 letter to President Alexander Lukashenko, WAN and the
World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern over an armed robbery on the independent newspaper “Shag”.
According to reports, on 5 November the Baranovichi offices of “Shag”, Belarus’ largest independent regional daily, were broken into by armed robbers and all its computers, printers, scanners and production equipment were stolen. The security guard was beaten, tied up and threatened with a pistol, before the robbers broke into the newspaper’s offices, removed its equipment and escaped in a truck.
WAN and WEF are concerned that the motive for the attack might have been to silence the newspaper, rather than robbery for financial gain. A number of facts suggest that this might be the case: the robbers reportedly tore a hub from a wall used for computer networking, while leaving much more valuable printer cartridges and a fax machine; the attackers broke into “Shag”‘s editorial office but ignored the door opposite that led to another company’s warehouse; the robbers only cut “Shag”‘s telephone wires; and the security guard claims that one of his attackers wore military trousers and boots.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– respectfully reminding him that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of attack and intimidation
– noting that such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and can promote self-censorship
– respectfully calling on him to ensure that the attack on “Shag” is thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice
– urging him to do everything in his power to protect journalists who are exercising their right to inform
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko
President of Belarus Republic
Minsk 220020
Fax: +375 172 23 58 25
Please copy appeals to WAN.
