Transnistrian region cracks down on journalists with new restrictions
The Tiraspol regime has introduced a new legislative measure imposing penalties on foreign journalists and those from the right bank of the Dniester who operate in the Transnistrian region without prior accreditation.
The initiative, presented on March 31 by the so-called "Supreme Soviet," stipulates fines of up to 160 lei for freelance journalists and between 300 and 800 lei for media employees holding positions of responsibility.
The human rights organization Promo-LEX has condemned this measure as an "abusive" attempt to suppress critical voices and obstruct objective documentation of realities in the region. The organization highlights that while the separatist authorities require journalists to obtain accreditation, such requests are systematically denied under the pretext of "security risks." Among those denied access or illegally detained are journalists Viorica Tataru, Andrei Captarenco, and Elena Covalenco.
The most recent case occurred on March 4, when journalist Evghenii Ceban, from the МОСТ platform, was denied entry into the region, despite not planning a professional visit.
Promo-LEX emphasizes that the accreditation system enforced by the separatist authorities is arbitrary and serves as a tool for control and censorship. Journalists attempting to document conditions in the region frequently face the risk of detention or expulsion.
The organization also notes that, according to the so-called "contraventional code" of the region, any violation of "access regulations," including bypassing illegal checkpoints, can result in fines of up to 1,600 lei and/or temporary detention in isolation facilities controlled by separatist structures.
In its 2024 report, Promo-LEX highlights that independent media outlets consistently reporting on the region’s realities are labeled as "hostile non-commercial organizations."
"Residents of the Transnistrian region who contribute to journalistic materials for these media outlets are identified and warned that they risk being accused of 'treason against the homeland.' The penalty for so-called 'treason against the homeland' is imprisonment for 12 to 20 years," Promo-LEX representatives warn.
In this context, Promo-LEX is calling on the Moldovan authorities, diplomatic missions, the OSCE Mission, and the UN Office for Human Rights to intervene and:
- Demand the immediate cessation of all abusive actions against journalists;
- Condition support for the Transnistrian region on respect for human rights;
- Strengthen intervention mechanisms in cases of severe human rights violations in the region.
Since the beginning of the year, the Tiraspol regime has adopted several repressive measures, further intensifying the climate of fear in the region.
On January 23, the so-called "Prosecutor General" of Transnistria, Anatoli Gurețki, proposed a legal initiative introducing criminal penalties for individuals who collect, store, or transmit personal data or "classified" information to foreign citizens, organizations, or authorities.
Later, on March 4, the so-called "Supreme Soviet" of Tiraspol registered six additional legislative proposals aimed at banning the "promotion of a child-free lifestyle."
Translation by IUrie Tataru
