POLICE REFUSE TO LAUNCH CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ABOUT THREATS TO JOURNALIST IRYNA MAKAVETSKAYA

January 13, Chyhunachny borough police of Homel, where the BDG journalist reported the incident, told Iryna Makavetskaya during an informal conversation, there were no possibilities to start criminal proceedings on the incident of threats to kill her. The reason is that the Criminal Code does not contain an Article envisaging responsibility for telephone threats. In order to launch proceedings a threat must be manifested in some actions.

Iryna Makavetskaya says:
-- They have not started official proceedings. That means, they haven’t even file an inquiry to the telephone company to learn where the call had been made from. I feel really defenseless now. I see absolutely no interest from the side of the police. Quite on the contrary, I got an idea that the whole situation might have been planned.

-- Do you think the threats are connected with your journalist work?

-- Most certainly. They directly told me to "quit journalism", because I have already "written to much". There can be only one explanation for the threats – my profession.

-- Do you have any clues who could be threatening you?

-- Yes, I have some suspicions. But I am afraid to announce my idea publicly. I am afraid of what they will do with me for voicing my suspicions. The voice on the phone seemed very familiar, especially the talking manner.