(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 2 November 1998, on 30 October 1998, journalists Toni Maskrachka and Krassimir Ouzounov of the Bulgarian daily “24 Tchassa” (24 Hours), were detained for several hours at the Macedonian border and had their luggage searched. Macedonian customs officials seized copies of Bulgarian-language books and newspapers […]
(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 2 November
1998, on 30 October 1998, journalists Toni Maskrachka and Krassimir Ouzounov
of the Bulgarian daily “24 Tchassa” (24 Hours), were detained for several
hours at the Macedonian border and had their luggage searched. Macedonian
customs officials seized copies of Bulgarian-language books and newspapers
before denying the journalists access into Macedonian territory. In a
separate incident on 1 November 1998, journalist Marinela Mircheva, of the
regional radio station in Blagoevgrad (western Bulgaria), was also denied
access to Macedonian territory. The three journalists had come to cover the
second round of legislative elections and had accreditation from the
Information Ministry of the Republic of Macedonia.
According to RSF, the type of measure directed against the three journalists
is a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights,
which guarantees the freedom to circulate information without interference
from public authorities and without regard to borders.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Macedonia
all journalists to the Macedonian territory
Appeals To
Mrs. Ana Panovska
Information Secretary
Skopje, Macedonia
Fax: +389 91 114 162
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
