Update: Technician Octavian Lupăcescu and cameraman Ion Moroz of Studio L Causeni television station, who were detained on Friday by the Transnistrian separatist authorities, have been released. The information was confirmed to IPN by Promo-LEX’s lawyer Vadim Vieru.
Initial news: The team of Studio L Căușeni, composed of technician Octavian Lupăcescu and cameraman Ion Moroz, is nowhere to be found. Their car, in which they had specialized technical equipment, was stopped at the checkpoint in Gîsca by individuals who presented themselves as representatives of the unconstitutional local KGB. Without giving them any clear explanations, their documents were checked and they were later told that they would be escorted to Bender to be fined 200 rubles. The Promo-LEX Association was notified by the editor-in-chief of the editorial office, who cannot get in touch with the team, and this addressed an urgent appeal to the authorities and diplomatic missions, IPN reports.
According to Promo-LEX, "the last contact with the team was on Friday at 11:15 a.m., when they managed to communicate with the editorial staff. Since then, their phones have been turned off, and any attempt to contact them failed. Their sudden disappearance and total lack of communication make us fear for their safety and physical and mental integrity."
The Association noted that this incident represents not only a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, but also a direct attack on the freedom of the press and the right to information. Their detention and transportation without a legal basis constitute a serious violation of the national legislation and international treaties to which the Republic of Moldova is a party.
"Promo-LEX calls on the Government to intervene urgently, promptly and efficiently, in order to locate and ensure the safe release of Octavian Lupăcescu and Ion Moroz. We call for the initiation of the necessary diplomatic and legal steps to clarify the circumstances of this incident and to prevent such situations in the future. We call on the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Moldova to open an official investigation into the disappearance and possible illegal detention of the two Moldovan citizens, and cooperate with international organizations and the law enforcement agencies so as to ensure compliance with the law," reads a press release.
The Association also calls on the diplomatic missions to monitor the situation and intervene in order to facilitate the rapid resolution of the case.
Experts specify that this incident is not an isolated case and highlight the significant risks to which journalists and media employees are subjected in the security zone. Failure to take into account or minimize these acts can create a dangerous legal precedent, with the potential to negatively affect press freedom and fundamental human rights, as enshrined in international instruments, such as the European Convention on Human Rights. It is imperative to take immediate action to prevent the escalation of these violations and to protect essential democratic values and the principles of the rule of law.
