If he does, the authorities have threatened to imprison him and take away his passport.

The authorities threatened to shoot anyone who refused to do their assigned labour.

If they do not, however, the authorities are threatening much sterner measures.

The French authorities threatened several times to try him for arson, but never followed up the threats.

The authorities threatened to use force if the churches were not dismantled on schedule.

She broke down, she says, only when the authorities threatened to punish her husband and son.

His paper was closed in March, he said, after the authorities threatened to burn down the printing plant.

While the authorities threatened to stop paying child benefit to those who do not send their children to school.

But the secretary has not had the authority to threaten banks with similar sanctions if they provide services to terrorists.

Next month he may have even less, for the authorities are threatening to turn him out on the street.