(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed deep concern over the 6 September 2004 arrest of cameraman Dinu Mija, of Moldova 1 public television. Mija was arrested by police in Tighina (also known as Bender) in the self-proclaimed Transnistrian republic, and sentenced to 15 days in prison. Mija’s colleague Ludmila Moraru, who was present at the time […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed deep concern over the 6 September 2004 arrest of cameraman Dinu Mija, of Moldova 1 public television. Mija was arrested by police in Tighina (also known as Bender) in the self-proclaimed Transnistrian republic, and sentenced to 15 days in prison.
Mija’s colleague Ludmila Moraru, who was present at the time of the cameraman’s arrest, said a Moldova 1 crew was at a railway station occupied by separatists when about a dozen plainclothes men surrounded them and ordered them to produce their identity papers. A struggle ensued during which Mija was manhandled. His camera was badly damaged. The men then forced him into a vehicle and drove away.
Late in the evening, police in the self-proclaimed republic informed Moldova 1’s management that Mija had been sentenced to 15 days in prison for not having accreditation and illegally crossing the border. However, the cameraman did have accreditation and no document is officially required to enter the region.
RSF has called on Russia, the Ukraine, the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe to respond to an appeal by Moldovan authorities requesting that they use their influence to secure Mija’s release.
