Mystery Surrounds Death of Independent Journalist

C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001292

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: Mystery Surrounds Death of Independent Journalist

REF: MINSK 1193

Classified by Ambassador George Krol for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) Summary: On October 18, Vasily Grodnikov,
contributor to the independent daily Narodnaya Volya (NV),
was found dead in his apartment with an injury caused by a
blow to the head with a blunt object. It remains unclear
whether or not he was murdered, even though the forensic
results have been released. End Summary.

At the Scene of the Crime
--------------


2. (U) Early in the morning on October 18, independent
newspaper NV contributor Vasily Grodnikov, age 67, was
found dead in his apartment just outside of Minsk. Police
examined the scene for five hours and found a broken stool,
blood stains on the wall paper and clotted blood on
Grodnikov's head. There were no signs of forced entry and
the door was locked from the inside.

But Was It Murder?
--------------


3. (C) On October 18, NV Deputy Editor Svetlana Kalinkina
informed Emboff that Grodnikov's relatives had received
official confirmation from the police that Grodnikov was
murdered. Kalinkina also reported the motive for the
attack did not appear to be theft, as a large pile of money
laying on the bookshelf remained untouched.


4. (C) Even after doctors released the official forensic
report on October 19 stating Grodnikov died after being hit
in the head with a blunt object, some still subscribe to
the accidental death theory. Grodnikov's niece told the
press her uncle likely fell, hit his head, and left blood
stains on the wallpaper while trying to get to a phone. NV
Editor-in-Chief Iosif Seredich stated, "I do not have any
reason to believe that [Grodnikov] was killed." In light
of recent GOB pressures on NV (reftel),Seredich was
careful to stress Grodnikov worked on social, not political
issues. Seredich also added Grodnikov suffered from health
problems. [Note: Grodnikov's niece told the press her
uncle suffered from hypertension. However, Grodnikov's
health issues were more severe, possibly including
hemorrhaging and difficulty in movement resulting from a
brutal physical assault several years ago. Police never
apprehended Grodnikov's attackers.]

Comment
--------------


5. (C) Although doctors determined the cause of death to be
a blow to the head with a blunt object, what really
happened to Grodnikov is still unknown. According to
Kalinkina, police confirmed privately to the family that
Grodnikov was killed. Rumors abound that Grodnikov's death
could be connected to the GOB crackdown on NV. The death
also coincides with the one-year anniversary of the murder
of another prominent independent journalist, Veronika
Cherkasova, whose murder Belarusian authorities have yet to
solve. She was murdered also amidst rumors of GOB
involvement. But, so far, NV is not making any
accusations. Police has yet to complete its investigation
of the mysterious murder of independent journalist Veranika
Charkasava, who was killed exactly one year ago.

KROL