23 February 2006 -- Belarus' Information Minister Uladzimir Rusakevich has threatened tough measures against a Belarusian newspaper that reprinted the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
The private weekly "Zhoda" reprinted the cartoons on 17 February to illustrate an article about the deadly impact of the protests they sparked across the Muslim world.
The Foreign Ministry lashed out at "Zhoda" on 22 February over the publication and prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation, accusing the newspaper of inciting religious hatred.
The state security service, still known as the KGB, questioned "Zhoda" editors on 22 February and searched the newspaper's office, reportedly seizing four computers.
Editor Alyaksandr Sdvizhkov said the case was politically motivated. He believes the Belarusian authorities are using the issue as a pretext to close down the newspaper.
"Zhoda" is seen as close to the Hramada Social Democratic Party led by Alyaksandr Kazulin, a candidate
