The staff at an independent newspaper in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh have received a death threat and a bullet in a letter, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reports.

Turgunbay Aldakulov, the editor in chief of the newspaper «Osh Shamy» (The Torch of Osh), told RFE/RL that his staff received a New Year’s greeting card with a machine gun bullet and a written threat on December 15.

Reporter Kubanych Joldoshev, who was severely beaten by unknown assailants last month, told RFE/RL that his colleagues are concerned by the threat.

The letter said: «Your lies do not cost anything. But they might cost you something though — your youth. This is our New Year’s Eve announcement. The other two [bullets] are in the AK-47’s magazine. For now, consider this the most humane attitude towards you. But those who do not appreciate [our message] will be punished.»

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_Newspaper_Receives_Bullet_In_Mail/1906027.html