PROTESTS AT ARREST OF MOLDOVAN JOURNALIST
Roy Greenslade
guardian.co.uk
Friday 16 April 2010 09.48 BST
Ernest Vardanean, an independent and respected journalist in Moldova,
has been arrested. According to an IPI/SEEMO report, he was arrested
on 7 April at his house in Tiraspol by men who identified themselves
as secret service agents of Transnistria.
Transnistria is a breakaway territory that declared its independence
in 1990. Vardanean, an ethnic Armenian, is accused of treason and
espionage, for which he can serve up to 20 years in prison.
The Moldovan authorities have expressed their disapproval of the move,
but they do not hold control over the territory.
Transnistrian authorities may be clamping down on critics as
presidential and legislative elections in the region are coming up.
Oliver Vujovic , secretary-general of South East Europe Media
Organisation (SEEMO), said: "The accusations against Vardanean of
high treason due to critical reporting are unacceptable.
"SEEMO regards prison terms for defamation as a gross violation of
internationally-accepted standards and believes that defamation should
be treated under civil law, not as a criminal offence."