The staff at an independent newspaper in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh have received a death threat and a bullet in a letter, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Turgunbay Aldakulov, the editor in chief of the newspaper "Osh Shamy" (The Torch of Osh), told RFE/RL that his staff received a New Year's greeting card with a machine gun bullet and a written threat on December 15.
Reporter Kubanych Joldoshev, who was severely beaten by unknown assailants last month, told RFE/RL that his colleagues are concerned by the threat.
The letter said: "Your lies do not cost anything. But they might cost you something though -- your youth. This is our New Year's Eve announcement. The other two [bullets] are in the AK-47's magazine. For now, consider this the most humane attitude towards you. But those who do not appreciate [our message] will be punished."
Police have launched an investigation into the incident.