On 25 October 1996, Tana Ardeleanu (f), an investigative reporter, and Sorin Rosca-Stanescu, the managing director of the independent Romanian daily newspaper “Ziua”, were found guilty of seditious libel (“offense against authorities”) under Article 238 of the Romanian Penal Code. Ardeleanu was sentenced to one year and two months and Rosca-Stanescu was sentenced to one […]
On 25 October 1996, Tana Ardeleanu (f), an investigative reporter,
and Sorin Rosca-Stanescu, the managing director of the independent
Romanian daily newspaper “Ziua”, were found guilty of seditious
libel (“offense against authorities”) under Article 238 of the
Romanian Penal Code. Ardeleanu was sentenced to one year and two
months and Rosca-Stanescu was sentenced to one year in prison.
Both journalists were also stripped of their rights to practice
journalism during their periods of imprisonment. The sentencing by
the Bucharest Court judge was far more severe than the six-month
prison term recommended by the prosecution. The two journalists
have filed an appeal.
**Updates IFEX alert of 12 June 1995**
Background Information
Charges were first filed against the two journalists in August
1995 in connection with an article by Ardeleanu that claimed
President Ion Iliescu was recruited by the Russian intelligence
service KGB when he was a student in Moscow (see IFEX alert).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
the legislation applied in this case are clear violations of
internationally recognized press freedom standards
protection for authorities from libel only serves to intimidate
and silences voices of dissent in the media
violate their rights to “seek, receive and impart information and
ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,” as
guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nation’s Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
dropped immediately
Appeals To
His Excellency Ion Iliescu
President of Romania
Bucharest, Romania
Fax: +401 312 1179
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
