Moldova refused to allow a number of Russian observers to work during the elections as part of the OSCE mission

The Moldovan authorities refused accreditation to a number of Russian observers as part of the monitoring mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe local elections. About it reported permanent mission of the Russian Federation to the organization.

“We demand that the authorities of Moldova return to conscientiously fulfilling their obligations in the electoral sphere, and the leadership of the ODIHR take urgent measures to rectify the situation,” the message says.

Chisinau, as specified, did not explain its decision in any way. At the same time, the Permanent Mission recalled that participants in OSCE missions do not act in a personal or national capacity, but as international experts. The provision that OSCE participating states invite observers from any other CSCE member states is enshrined in the organization’s 1990 Copenhagen Document, the Permanent Mission added.

How reported On the website of the Moldovan Central Election Commission, 235 people were accredited from the OSCE/ODIHR monitoring mission. A total of 401 international observers will work during the elections.

Earlier on October 30, it became known that the Information and Security Service of Moldova blocked more than 30 media outlets, including TASS, Interfax, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Izvestia, Lenta.ru, Radio Sputnik. Among the Moldovan media are Publika TV, RTR Moldova, ITV, as well as the publication Moldavskie Vedomosti. The intelligence service explained this decision by sanctions from Western countries.

On October 22, the same department ordered the blocking of access to 22 Russian media sites. Among them are the resources of Channel One, VGTRK, RT, NTV, etc. The Russian Foreign Ministry called this step hostile.