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Protests At Arrest Of Moldovan Journalist

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  • Protests At Arrest Of Moldovan Journalist

    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."
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