People's Advocate Ceslav Panico is concerned about Thursday's incident at the Chisinau court in Ciocana, where several journalists were barred from accessing the court, which is a public building. One of the journalists whose access to the court was blocked was the cameraman of the Anticoruptie.md portal.

"From the images broadcast by the media, alleged employees of the Court and representatives of the General Inspectorate of Carabineers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, restricted the access of some media representatives to the Court",  said the People's Advocate in a public statement.

The People's Advocate reiterates that "journalists have an essential role to play in informing society and in operatively reflecting on events and issues of public interest" and reaffirms that "freedom of expression and freedom of the media are crucial to the functioning of a democratic society.

"Any limitation on the exercise of the activity of journalists must be well argued and proportionate, and in accordance with national acts and international standards," said Ceslav Panico.

The People's Advocate urges the responsible authorities to be fair, respectful of the media in the exercise of their duties in order not to admit the violation of the right to information of the population. The Ombudsman says that he will continue to monitor "compliance by the authorities with the exercise of the profession of journalist".

The carabineers and a private security company guarding the Chisinau Court based in Ciocana  on Thursday prevented several journalists, including the cameraman of the Anticoruptie.md portal, from entering the courtroom where the magistrates were examining the prosecutors' approach regarding the 30-day arrest warrant against the former president of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon. The guards had a list indicating the names of people from the media who should not be allowed inside the building.