CHISINAU – Editors of a leading Moldovan website say the government is trying to shut it down ahead of elections scheduled for July 29, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.
Unimedia.md, a largely pro-opposition media outlet, stated that it has been warned by the state Internet service provider, MoldData, that it will be closed down if it continues to publish "illegal material."
According to the website, the warning follows a complaint by Moldovan prosecutors that Unimedia contributed to the street violence that broke out in Chisinau after the parliamentary elections on April 5, because it did not filter "hateful" comments posted by users.
The controversial election was followed by protests that turned violent and led to hundreds of people being detained and interrogated by police.
New elections will be held on July 29 because parliament has twice failed to elect a new president to replace Communist Vladimir Voronin, who is constitutionally barred from running for a third term.
Unimedia.md, a largely pro-opposition media outlet, stated that it has been warned by the state Internet service provider, MoldData, that it will be closed down if it continues to publish "illegal material."
According to the website, the warning follows a complaint by Moldovan prosecutors that Unimedia contributed to the street violence that broke out in Chisinau after the parliamentary elections on April 5, because it did not filter "hateful" comments posted by users.
The controversial election was followed by protests that turned violent and led to hundreds of people being detained and interrogated by police.
New elections will be held on July 29 because parliament has twice failed to elect a new president to replace Communist Vladimir Voronin, who is constitutionally barred from running for a third term.
