Moldovan Authorities Once Again Obstructed the Travel of a Moldovan Orthodox Hierarch

Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești has reported another violation of his rights by Moldovan border authorities. The hierarch was planning to make a pilgrimage to Turkey but was once again removed from his flight without explanation at Chișinău Airport, according to the Telegram channel “Orthodox Moldova and the World.”

According to the archbishop, border guards not only denied him permission to leave the country but also subjected him to a humiliating search, despite the fact that he had hired a lawyer in advance to monitor the process. “I strongly insisted that my lawyer, whom I had hired in advance, be present during the search. However, two border guards flatly refused and conducted the search without him. They even said, ‘It’s not the first time for you,’” said Archbishop Marchel.

Despite presenting a return ticket and confirmation of a hotel reservation in Turkey, his documents were returned only after the plane had already taken off.

It should be recalled that Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești, a hierarch of the Moldovan Orthodox Church, had previously been prevented from traveling to Jerusalem to participate in the Holy Fire ceremony. He was stopped at the airport before boarding his flight to Israel.