From now on the letters with white powder will be referred to “anonymous threat of a terror act”

The white powder “mania” is continuing all over the world, Russia is not an exception. There were official “white powder” proceedings started only once – after a Moscow firm received such mail. The Internal Affairs Principal Directorate of Moscow was talking about “hooliganism” at that time. For the time being, as it has already been mentioned before, the number of anthrax letters is over one hundred. The Russian special services finally found a way to react to that kind of mail – it will be now referred to “anonymous threat of terrorism act,” the adequate measures will be used towards the senders.

In the meantime it became known about a regular anonymous letter with a powder in the envelope. The envelope arrived to a citizen of the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk. The family members called the police, and the envelope was withdrawn, sent for expertise. Emergency anti-epidemic measures are currently being taken in the city, there all persons found, who someway or another had a contact with the suspicious letter – 20 people.

Reuters photo: Brazilian postal workers wear rubber gloves and masks at the Central Post office's International department in Sao Paulo, October 18, 2001