Call for Immediate Action to Halt and Counteract Illegal Acts by Protesters Linked to Fugitive Politician Ilan Șor Against Journalists

The undersigned media organizations strongly condemn the unlawful actions of individuals participating in the demonstration held outside the Chișinău Court, during which journalists from Ziarul de Gardă (ZdG) were subjected to physical and verbal assault. Given the recurring nature of such incidents and the prevailing climate of impunity, we call on the authorities to take decisive action by implementing effective measures to prevent and counteract the illegal actions of protesters associated with fugitive politician Ilan Șor, who are targeting journalists.

On March 7, ZdG journalists Măriuța Nistor and Igor Ionescu were physically assaulted by a protester outside the Chișinău Court, where demonstrators had gathered in support of MP Alexandr Nesterovschi. Nesterovschi is currently under investigation for passive corruption and for attempting to secure funding for a political party from an organized criminal group. Before the attack, ZdG journalists were already subjected to verbal harassment by demonstrators. Additionally, the protesters made baseless accusations that the journalists were “financed by a criminal group,” specifically targeting USAID—an established narrative aimed at discrediting journalists and undermining the credibility of independent media.

We unequivocally condemn these reprehensible actions. The conduct of these demonstrators constitutes a direct violation of fundamental rights, including personal integrity, individual liberty, and security. Moreover, it represents a clear infringement upon the legal protections afforded to journalists in the exercise of their profession.

Under the Law on Freedom of Expression, the state guarantees press freedom, and any deliberate, unlawful obstruction of journalistic activity is a criminal offense. Threats of physical harm, public insults, and harassment in public spaces are also punishable under the law.

The undersigned organizations denounce these illegal acts in the strongest possible terms and stress that such violations must not be tolerated.

We urge the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of Moldova to take immediate action, investigate the incidents, and initiate the necessary legal proceedings to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Furthermore, we call on the authorities to develop and enforce effective measures to put an end to the ongoing intimidation and violence directed at journalists by supporters and protesters affiliated with fugitive politician Ilan Șor.

Independent Journalism Center 
Media Guard Association
Association of Electronic Press
Association of Independent Press
Press Freedom Committee
RISE Moldova