OSCE media freedom representative calls on Moldova to release Russian writer and journalist blogger

VIENNA, 30 September 2011 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today called upon Moldovan authorities to release Eduard Bagirov, a writer and journalist blogger, who has been held in pre-trial detention since mid-June.

"Bagirov has to be set free”, Mijatović said. “The unclear circumstances around his case might have an enormous chilling effect on the media community in Moldova and beyond". 

She referred to the fact that there are still not official charges brought against him, although his detention has been quite lengthy and involved a hunger strike.

The Representative raised the case of Bagirov with Moldovan authorities in a 5 July letter to Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca.