The Belarusian Prosecutors Office has said that violent interrogation of journalists is legitimate, report Charter 97, Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award nominees.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists wrote an open letter to the Prosecutor in March condemning the use of violent interrogation and beatings of journalists as part of the investigation into an alleged case of slander against the former head of the KGB in the Gomel region, Ivan Korzh. Internet reports alleged that KGB officers had fabricated a case against a police officer, and abused him. In early March, the offices of Charter 97 and European Belarus were raided by the police who confiscated equipment and assaulted staff.