(WAN/IFEX) – In a 17 October 2002 letter to Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed serious concern at a raid on the offices of “Accente” newspaper. According to reports, on 9 October security forces raided the “Accente” offices in Chisinau, sequestering computers, the photograph library, cameras, dictaphones and other equipment. […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 17 October 2002 letter to Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed serious concern at a raid on the offices of “Accente” newspaper.
According to reports, on 9 October security forces raided the “Accente” offices in Chisinau,
sequestering computers, the photograph library, cameras, dictaphones and other equipment. Three
“Accente” employees were also temporarily detained, the telephone lines were disconnected and the 10 October edition was banned.
The authorities’ action followed a series of “Accente” articles on alleged corruption cases involving former interior minister Vladimir Turcanu, now the ambassador to Moscow, and an investigation into the participation of top officials in organ trafficking. “Accente” journalists have recently reported receiving death threats and the newspaper’s offices have been attacked on several occasions.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– recalling that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists
are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of attack and intimidation
– noting that such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and can promote self-censorship
– calling on him to ensure that those responsible for the raid on “Accente” are severely disciplined and that all intimidation of the newspaper and its staff is halted
– asking that he do everything possible to ensure that his country fully observes international standards of free expression
Appeals To
The Right Honourable Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev
Chisinau, Moldova
C/o Permanent Representative to United Nations
E-mail: moldova@un.int
Please copy appeals to WAN.
