Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK796
2006-07-31 14:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
LATVIAN DIPLOMAT HAS RESIDENCE RAIDED, IS MALIGNED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSK #0796 2121420 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 311420Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4800 INFO RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KIEV PRIORITY 3380 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 3531 RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA PRIORITY 1744 RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS PRIORITY 3756 RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW PRIORITY 3396 RUEHBS/USMISSION USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0123 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000796
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PREL PHUM BO
SUBJECT: LATVIAN DIPLOMAT HAS RESIDENCE RAIDED, IS MALIGNED
BY STATE MEDIA
REF: MINSK 784
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Constance Phlipot for Reasons
1.4 B and D
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000796
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PREL PHUM BO
SUBJECT: LATVIAN DIPLOMAT HAS RESIDENCE RAIDED, IS MALIGNED
BY STATE MEDIA
REF: MINSK 784
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Constance Phlipot for Reasons
1.4 B and D
1. (C) On July 30, Belarusian Television's (BT) analytical
program "Center of Attention" - a program known for its
anti-Western shows - broadcast an expose on the Latvian
diplomat accused of distributing pornographic materials
(reftel). The program targeted the Latvian diplomat for his
sexual orientation and showed hidden camera footage of him
watching pornographic videos and engaging in sexual acts in
his Minsk apartment.
2. (C) According to the state media, the Latvian diplomat's
illegal activities first came to the Belarusian authorities'
attention during an alleged investigation of the increased
sale and distribution of pornographic materials in Belarus.
The authorities "identified" the diplomat as a distributor of
pornographic materials after a witness confessed to
purchasing a pornographic DVD at diplomat's apartment and
engaging in sexual activities with the diplomat. BT aired
the witness's confession and showed footage of the July 25
raid on the diplomat's apartment where law enforcement
authorities and a cameraman - in violation of the Vienna
convention - searched the apartment and seized pornographic
materials.
3. (C) BT presenter Yury Prokopov denounced Western
diplomats for violating Belarusian laws and referred to the
story of a former Czech diplomat accused of having sex with
Belarusian minors to emphasize, "Those who are trying to
teach us democracy are perverted and immoral." In addition,
after showing footage of EU diplomats at the October Square
presidential election protests, BT commentators intimated
that diplomats used their passports to smuggle alcohol,
contraceptives, and pornographic materials into the tent
city.
4. (C) Comment: The state media reached new lows in
displaying with such detail the private lives of individual
diplomats on prime time television. The methods used by
state media eloquently illustrate the constant harassment and
improper treatment EU and U.S. diplomats in Belarus face.
The Latvian DCM confirmed for Pol/Econ Chief that the Latvian
diplomat has already left the country.
Phlipot
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PREL PHUM BO
SUBJECT: LATVIAN DIPLOMAT HAS RESIDENCE RAIDED, IS MALIGNED
BY STATE MEDIA
REF: MINSK 784
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Constance Phlipot for Reasons
1.4 B and D
1. (C) On July 30, Belarusian Television's (BT) analytical
program "Center of Attention" - a program known for its
anti-Western shows - broadcast an expose on the Latvian
diplomat accused of distributing pornographic materials
(reftel). The program targeted the Latvian diplomat for his
sexual orientation and showed hidden camera footage of him
watching pornographic videos and engaging in sexual acts in
his Minsk apartment.
2. (C) According to the state media, the Latvian diplomat's
illegal activities first came to the Belarusian authorities'
attention during an alleged investigation of the increased
sale and distribution of pornographic materials in Belarus.
The authorities "identified" the diplomat as a distributor of
pornographic materials after a witness confessed to
purchasing a pornographic DVD at diplomat's apartment and
engaging in sexual activities with the diplomat. BT aired
the witness's confession and showed footage of the July 25
raid on the diplomat's apartment where law enforcement
authorities and a cameraman - in violation of the Vienna
convention - searched the apartment and seized pornographic
materials.
3. (C) BT presenter Yury Prokopov denounced Western
diplomats for violating Belarusian laws and referred to the
story of a former Czech diplomat accused of having sex with
Belarusian minors to emphasize, "Those who are trying to
teach us democracy are perverted and immoral." In addition,
after showing footage of EU diplomats at the October Square
presidential election protests, BT commentators intimated
that diplomats used their passports to smuggle alcohol,
contraceptives, and pornographic materials into the tent
city.
4. (C) Comment: The state media reached new lows in
displaying with such detail the private lives of individual
diplomats on prime time television. The methods used by
state media eloquently illustrate the constant harassment and
improper treatment EU and U.S. diplomats in Belarus face.
The Latvian DCM confirmed for Pol/Econ Chief that the Latvian
diplomat has already left the country.
Phlipot