Moldova bars Georgian journalists; Border Police cite lack of documents
The Border Police has prohibited entry into the Republic of Moldova for Georgian journalist Saba Khvichia and the cameraman, who work for the pro-government Imedi television station in Georgia.
According to a statement by Imedi television, the two were detained on the morning of September 26 at the "Eugen Doga" International Airport - Chisinau and were denied access to their personal documents for several hours.
They claim that they came to the Republic of Moldova to cover the parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday, September 28.
In a response to the public broadcaster Moldova 1, the Border Police explained that the Georgian team did not present the necessary documents to justify the declared purpose of their visit to the country.
The institution specified that the journalists could not demonstrate where they would be accommodated, what financial means they had at their disposal, or what activities they would carry out in the Republic of Moldova.
"The targeted team did not meet the conditions for entry into the territory of the Republic of Moldova, not having the documents justifying the declared purpose", the Border Police reported.
In turn, representatives of the Imedi channel accused the Moldovan authorities of a lack of transparency and non-compliance with democratic principles. In a post on social media, they state that the film crew was not allowed to use a mobile phone and was detained for five hours, after which they were escorted to the airport's departures area, without clear information about the time of their return to the country.
According to the Border Police, the journalists have already left the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
IMedi channel is one of the most-watched television channels in Georgia. According to the investigative portal Follow the Money, the television station has allegedly benefited from direct loans from businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary president and informal leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Although the channel is often criticized by experts for alleged pro-Russian affinities, its owner, Irakli Rukhadze, a Georgian-American businessman, claims that Imedi is editorially independent.
