Moldova: TV8 reporters attacked by Russian soldiers on border with Transnistria

July 23, 2020, Transnistria -- TV8 reporter Viorica Tataru and colleague Andrei Captarenco were attacked on July 21 while filming the buffer zone in the conflicted area of Transnistria between Moldova and Russia.

Russian army forces harassed the journalists who were filming the newly-erected checkpoints, taking Viorica’s phone from her hand to delete footages and ex-officio detaining them by way of preventing the journalists from leaving the area until Moldovan police showed up on ground.

Viorica and Andrei filed a formal complaint, accusing the Russian soldiers of violating their right to work and move, and temporarily depriving them of their equipment. We will be following the response of the authorities concerning the complaint.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls upon Russian authorities to conduct an investigation against the soldiers who illegally deprived the journalists from their freedom and violated Moldova’s press laws. Impediment of work through such intimidation attacks will only push the region further back in the press freedom index.