Moldovan Police Put End to Fake Newspaper Scam

Last month the Moldovan police identified a network of infringers who had been illegally producing and distributing fake copies of Ziarul de Garda and Timpul, two leading newspapers in Moldova. The infringers allegedly intended to manipulate the public opinion ahead of the June 5, 2011 elections by publishing negative articles about the pro-Western ruling coalition.

Gheorghe Malic, the head of the criminal investigation team, said that two Ukrainians suspected of being involved in the infringement have been arrested. The police believe a political party is behind the fake newspaper productions, but they have not revealed any names yet.

Alina Radu, the head of Ziarul de Garda, is urging the police to reveal the name of the political party behind the scheme, stressing that the fake newspapers damaged the reputation of the real ones and infringed their trademarks and copyrights.

For more information, please contact Masa Lopicic at our Balkan Regional Office.

Source: Southeast European Times, South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO); Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)