Media NGOs Express Concern Regarding the Detention of Journalist Timofei Iliușin in the Transnistrian Region

The undersigned media NGOs express their concern regarding the detention of Timofei Iliușin, a journalist for the independent publication SOTAvision, by the separatist forces in Tiraspol. They urge the constitutional authorities of the state to intervene immediately to ensure the protection of human rights and press freedom in the territory of the Republic of Moldova on the left bank of the Dniester River.

On June 24, while in the Transnistrian region to document and report on human rights violations and political persecutions in the area, journalist Timofei Iliușin was detained by employees of the so-called Ministry of Security. We draw the attention of the legitimate authorities of the Republic of Moldova to the severity of the infringements on human rights and freedoms, guaranteed at both national and international levels, through the violation of individual freedoms and personal safety, as well as the specific rights guaranteed to journalists.

We remind that Article 25 of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova guarantees the inviolability of individual freedom and personal safety. Furthermore, under Article 4, paragraph (1) of the Law on Freedom of Expression, the state is obligated to guarantee the freedom of expression of the media. Thus, no one can prohibit or prevent the media from disseminating information of public interest except under the conditions of the law. Moreover, paragraph (5) of the same article stipulates that the intentional illegal obstruction of media activity entails criminal liability.

The undersigned organizations strongly condemn the abusive and illegal actions of the separatist forces in Tiraspol directed against local and foreign journalists and emphasize the inadmissibility of tolerating such serious violations.

We call on the legitimate authorities of the Republic of Moldova to intervene immediately to secure the release of journalist Timofei Iliușin, detained in Tiraspol, and to take the necessary measures to ensure the rights and freedoms guaranteed by law to the press.

Independent Journalism Center

‘Access-info’ Center

Association of Electronic Press

Environment and Ecotourism Journalists’ Association

Association of Independent Press

Media Guard Association

RISE Moldova