Bishop Blocked from Leaving Moldova: Airport Search Sparks Outrage

Bishop Marchel Denied Exit from Moldova Despite Valid Travel Documents Chisinau, Moldova – Bishop Marchel, a prominent religious figure, was prevented from leaving Moldova on May 26th, 2025, at an undisclosed airport. He had tickets and vouchers for a pilgrimage to Turkey but was subjected to a search by border guards. The incident raises concerns about restrictions on freedom of movement and due process. "They insisted on conducting this search without my lawyer present," Bishop Marchel stated in a video recording. "It was humiliating and unnecessary." He emphasized that the search yielded nothing illegal. The video shows Bishop Marchel calmly explaining the situation, highlighting the contrast between his peaceful intentions and the forceful actions of the authorities. The incident underscores ongoing debates about human rights and the rule of law in Moldova. Although the video itself uses a clickbait title, the underlying event is significant and warrants further investigation.