Moldova Prosecutors Quiz Russian Journalist Over ‘War Propaganda’

A Russian journalist in Moldova, Nikolay Kostyrkin, was questioned by police on Thursday on suspicion of incitement to inter-ethnic hatred and pro-Russian war propaganda.

Kostyrkin used to be editor of the gagauznews.md news website and worked for Sputnik Moldova, the Kremlin's mouthpiece in Moldova.

The gagauznews.md portal was shut down along with Sputnik Moldova by the Moldovan authorities on February 26 for publishing propaganda, false news and pro-Russian misinformation, two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

"Our officer searched his home and has now brought him for questioning. We will announce afterwards if he will be detained," the General Prosecutor's Office spokesperson, Mariana Cherpec, told BIRN.

Investigators released some audio surveillance material of the Russian journalist allegedly saying he would welcome Russian troops into Moldova. Russia already has peacekeeping forces stationed in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria.

"First of all, our guys [Russian troops based Transnistria] will come and say: 'You weak Moldovans! You can't even defend yourself… Who needs you anymore now!" Kostarkyin allegedly says.

Kostyrkin allegedly also says that he will spread his through all the Telegram channels and media in Moldova in order to "special operation to be carried out effectively" - a reference to the invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a 'special military operation'.

Investigators claim that Kostyrkin systematically published and disseminated propaganda through his media outlet and social media channels that justified Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

"During the criminal investigation, searches were carried out at the home and in the car of...