Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Speaks in Defense of RTR Correspondent Office in Minsk

In the evening of Friday, 23 July, Belarusian TV spread information about the liquidation of the office of RTR correspondent in Minsk, referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus. The decision was taken because of allegedly distorted elucidation of the meeting of 21 July in Belarus. On that day RTR correspondent Zmitser Piatrow said in the report that was broadcast in the “Vesti” news program that several thousand citizens took part in the meeting, whereas Lukashenka’s officials stated there were only 193 individuals there.

According to “Charter-97”, on Saturday Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs adopted a statement regarding the intention of Belarusian authorities to close the office of the correspondent of the TV channel “Russia” in Minsk. According to the official representative of the ministry, it could have negative impact on the opportunity of Russian citizens to receive information from this country.

The ministry is of the opinion that elucidation of the events that take place in Belarus by RTR can’t be a reason for such steps.