Expelled Sputnik director sparks Moldova-Russia diplomatic row
The expulsion of Sputnik Moldova director Vitalii Denisov, a Russian citizen, has sparked reactions from Moscow. The Moldovan Embassy's charge d'affaires in Russia, Sergiu Goncerenko, was summoned by the Foreign Ministry in Moscow on Wednesday and informed that "the unfriendly step of the Moldovan authorities will not go unanswered by Russia". Authorities in Chisinau said the expulsion of Sputnik Moldova's director was an internal matter and aimed at protecting the national information space.
The Moldovan Embassy's charge d'affaires in Russia, Sergiu Goncerenko, was summoned yesterday by the Foreign Ministry in Moscow after Chisinau expelled the head of Sputnik Moldova, Vitalii Denisov. He was informed by Russian diplomats that the Moldovan government was "persecuting" the Russian-language media and that the Moscow authorities would prepare a response. Contacted by telephone, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI), Igor Zaharov, told Radio Moldova that the expulsion of Sputnik's director was an internal matter for Moldova. "This summons is a hostile policy towards our country, and any decision taken by our country's authorities comes to secure our information space and the borders of the Republic of Moldova."
At the same time, Igor Zaharov stressed that our country respects the freedom of the press and suggested the Russian Federation to do the same.
"Regarding the allegations of freedom of the press, we suggest to the Russian Federation and the Foreign Ministry of this country to better coordinate its efforts to make progress on freedom of the press in the Russian Federation," the MFAEI spokesman explained.
The General Inspectorate for Migration has declared Vitalii Denisov an undesirable person in the Republic of Moldova for a period of ten years. According to the procedures, he was removed under escort from the territory of our country, being accused of involvement in the internal affairs of the Republic of Moldova, which endangers the information security of the country.
On 26 February 2022, the Intelligence and Security Service requested the blocking of the portal www.sputnik.md for information inciting hatred and war.
This year, the Republic of Moldova ranks 28th in terms of freedom of the press out of 180 countries in a ranking traditionally presented by the international organisation Reporters Without Borders. The Republic of Moldova significantly climbs for the second year in a row in this top and occupies the best position ever.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
