Moldova frees 'Twitter Revolution' journalist from house arrest
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 May 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldova frees 'Twitter Revolution' journalist from house arrest, 4 May 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a014a9d5.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 04, 2009
Moldovan journalist Natalia Morar
The Moldovan Court of Appeals has released journalist Natalia Morar from house arrest in the capital, Chisinau, where she had been confined for her role in the so-called "Twitter Revolution," RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.
Morar, a 25-year-old journalist accused of organizing street protests after the controversial April 5 parliamentary elections, has been under house arrest for three weeks.
She could receive a 15-year prison sentence if found guilty of helping to organize the demonstrations in the capital, which turned violent and led to the storming of parliament and the presidential palace.
The protests were known as the "Twitter Revolution" because of the use of mobile phones and social-networking sites on the Internet to rally people.
Morar is free to leave her home but is banned from leaving the country.
The independent press agency Unimedia quotes Morar as saying she regrets the no-travel order because her job often requires her to travel.
Morar freelances for the Russian magazine "New Times," where she used to work as an investigative reporter. She returned to her native Moldova in 2007 and founded the Internet forum ThinkMoldova.
She argued that her "right to travel freely" is being denied by the court.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
