RT Journalist Detained in Romania; Moscow Calls Election a 'Meme'

The Russian Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized Romanian authorities following the detention of RT journalist Chay Bowes in Bucharest, describing the incident as further evidence that the country’s upcoming presidential election is a “meme” lacking democratic credibility.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, told RT in a phone interview on Thursday that the arrest of Bowes illustrates the state of political repression in Romania ahead of a highly contentious re-run election.

Accusations of Political Bias and Democratic Backsliding

Romania’s controversial decision to annul the previous election results has drawn international scrutiny. The court justified the annulment by referencing alleged foreign interference, including claims that Georgescu’s viral TikTok campaign was covertly supported by Moscow—allegations Russia has denied.

Georgescu has since been banned from seeking office and is facing multiple criminal charges, which he has described as politically motivated.

Zakharova criticized the broader election environment, saying:

“The situation around the Romanian election is scandalous. It reveals the dead-end of what they call democracy. And the treatment of journalists only confirms that.”

She further labeled Bucharest’s public criticisms of freedom of speech in Russia as hypocritical, given its apparent clampdown on dissenting voices at home.

International Condemnation Mounts

Romania’s handling of the electoral process has not gone unnoticed. Both U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and entrepreneur Elon Musk have publicly condemned the annulment of the original vote, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Europe.

The continued detention of journalists—particularly those from foreign outlets—raises concerns over press freedom and transparency during the election process, particularly in a context already marred by accusations of bias and judicial overreach.