We demand an end to and counteraction against the illegal actions of the “protesters” associated with Bashkan Evghenia Guțul, directed against journalistsv

Non-governmental media organizations condemn the illegal behavior of several participants in the demonstration held in front of the Chișinău Court, who physically assaulted at least three reporters. In the context of the recurrence of such incidents, as well as the general state of impunity that emerges from recent precedents, the signatory organizations call on the authorities to develop and implement effective measures to stop and counteract the illegal actions of “protesters” associated with Gagauzia Governor Evghenia Guțul, directed against journalists.

On August 5, at least three journalists were harassed and assaulted by some participants in the demonstration held in front of the Chisinau Court in support of Evghenia Guts, who was convicted on the same day in a case concerning the illegal financing of the former “Shor” party.  Reporters from the media project Fără Filtre, Constantin Niculae and Veronica Gherbovețchi, were targeted with intimidation and physical aggression by a participant in the demonstration, while TV8 journalist Viorica Tataru was spat on by another “protester” who had come to support Bashkan Evghenia Guțul.

The actions of the participants in the demonstration constitute a violation of the right to bodily integrity, individual freedom, and safety, as well as an interference with the special rights guaranteed to journalists.

According to the Law on Freedom of Expression, the state guarantees freedom of expression of the press, and the intentional illegal obstruction of media activity is a criminal offense. Threats to bodily integrity or health, insults, and offensive accosting of individuals in public places are criminal offenses under the law.

The undersigned organizations strongly condemn the illegal actions of the perpetrators against the press and emphasize that such violations cannot be tolerated.

We call on the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Moldova, by virtue of their legal powers, to take note of the acts committed and to initiate the procedures provided for by law to bring the aggressors to justice.

We call on the authorities to develop and implement effective measures to stop and counteract the repeated abuses against journalists by supporters and “protesters” associated with Evghenia Guts and fugitive politician Ilan Shor.

Independent Journalism Center

Media-Guard Association

Association of Electronic Press

Association of Independent Press

Press Freedom Committee