Imedi TV crew denied entry to Moldova ahead of elections, broadcaster says entry ban resembles “straight in the CIS” reality

A TV crew of Imedi TV was denied entry to Moldova to cover the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

As Imedi TV noted, the journalist and cameraman were held at Chișinău airport for five hours before being escorted to the departure lounge.

Their passports and documents were confiscated, their movement was restricted, and they were denied phone use.

“In Moldova, hailed as a European democracy, the Imedi TV crew found itself in a situation resembling the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)”, the statement said.

“Our journalists and operators were not allowed to enter Chișinău to cover the elections. After a five-hour delay at the airport, the TV crew was moved to the departure lounge. They were assigned escorts and are not even being told when they will be allowed to return to their homeland”, the statement noted.

The Moldovan authorities claimed that the crew lacked confirmed documents proving their place of residence, financial means, and purpose of entry.

“They are denied the use of phones, their movement is restricted, and their passports and documentation have been confiscated. The only explanation given was that they allegedly lacked confirmed documents proving their place of residence, financial means, and purpose of entry, which is false, as Imedi Week journalists had all the necessary documents with them”, Imedi TV said.

Imedi TV further announced that journalist Saba Khvichia would share further details upon his return to Georgia.