Police attempt another unwarranted search at Albasat TV

Six police officers came from Chisinau to the Albasat TV premises in Nisporeni for another surprise search on Thursday, March 5, but their intention was thwarted by the fact that at that moment Albasat was hosting a seminar on election debates bringing together representatives from 14 other channels, Info-Prim Neo has learned from Valeriu Saharneanu, the director of the consortium Euronova Media Grup, which includes Albasat. “In those unfavorable circumstances the police officers decided to retreat, saying they would come back some other day. This time, again, the police came unannounced and, again, failed to produce any document that would justify their increased interest for Albasat TV”, said Saharneanu. The first raid at Albasat occurred on February 25, when three police officers searched the channel's premises with no warrant and without explaining their reasons. The police later explained they acted on a tip that Albasat was practicing double-entry accounting. They also found the software on the channel's computers not to have proper licensing. The channel denied the allegations.