State-run press distribution agency in Baranavičy keeps rejecting independent newspaper

The editorial office of a Baranavičy-based private newspaper Intex-Press has not been allowed to sign a contract for use of the government-owned newspaper delivery system Brestablsajuzdruk.

A letter signed by the deputy director of the enterprise Mikalai Mareika says that “there are supposedly no possibilities to sign such an agreement at the moment.” However, the reply does not specify the exact reasons for the decision.

Intex-Press, which has existed for more than 20 years, was excluded from the public distribution system in 2006. Since then, the editorial board has repeatedly written to officials with a request to restore the distribution, but has received negative responses.