A city court in Neftekamsk (Republic of Bashkortostan) on 26 January shut down the local newspaper ``Vechernii Neftekamsk''. Bashkortostan's Ministry on the Press and Mass Media filed the lawsuit, claiming that the newspaper has repeatedly published false information about the republic's leaders.
In an interview with RFE/RL's Moscow bureau on 28 January, Eduard Khusnutdinov, the founder and editor of ``Vechernii Neftekamsk'', said his newspaper has been persecuted for criticizing the republic's authorities. For example, it is imported from neighboring Udmurtia, because no type-setter in Bashkortostan will print it. Khusnutdinov added that Bashkortostan's media law, which the court cited in its decision to close ``Vechernii Neftekamsk'', violates federal legislation and the Russian Constitution. ``Kommersant-Daily'' reported on 16 January that Khusnutdinov is running against local businessmen in a by-election for a State Duma seat in February. LB
29 января 1998г. Радио ``Свобода'' / ``Свободная Европа'' --- Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty