Protesters in Romania have assaulted a video journalist and hurled objects at a car belonging to a Romanian television covering the demonstration, police said.
The journalist who works for B1 TV was knocked to the ground and punched in the ribs. The team filming the demonstrators barricaded themselves in the car for protection. A crew working for Digi 24 was verbally threatened by protesters, police said.
B1TV said protesters threw stones and coins at the car and a protester urinated on the vehicle. Police said they were investigating the cases and would notify the prosecutor’s office.
It is the second time TV journalists have been attacked in recent days at a protest. On Friday, demonstrators threw water bottles and pretzels at Digi24 television journalists covering the protest and ripped the number plates off the station’s car.
The incidents on Sunday occurred during an hours-long demonstration attended by tens of thousands against the cancellation of last month’s presidential election over suspicions of Russian interference. Tensions have risen with some calling for a rerun and proof of Russian interference.
On Sunday, people marched on the streets of Bucharest waving Romanian flags and yelling against the ruling coalition, the Constitutional Court and outgoing President Klaus Iohannis
Responding to the incidents, George Simion,leader of the radical right Alliance for the Union of Romanians which organized the demonstration, said some protesters are angry with the coverage of some television stations, which resulted in the assaults. He said perpetrators should be “punished exemplarily,” News.ro reported.
Prior to the rally, organizers have been sending messages telling demonstrators that journalists and law enforcement agencies should not be treated as enemies, he said.
” But unfortunately….in January 2025 there are different camps and we no longer know how to talk properly with each other,” he said.
Separately, Bucharest riot police say they confiscated knives, penknives and smoke bombs from people near the protest on Sunday.
“Around 16:00, in the area of Victoryi Square,… police checked a man’s luggage and found 11 pyrotechnic items (smoke bombs). He was taken to the police station.”
It is illegal to participate in public gatherings carrying weapons, explosive or incendiary materials, irritant-tear or paralyzing substances, devices for electric shocks or other objects that can be used for violent actions or to disturb their normal development.
“At the same time, for everyone’s safety, we appeal to the organizers and participants, if they notice provocations, altercations or aggressive groups, to avoid them and to immediately notify the nearby law enforcement agencies,” the Romanian riot police said.
