Romania bars Irish RT propagandist from entry
Romanian border authorities denied entry to Chay Bowes, an RT (Russia Today, Kremlin’s international propaganda arm) reporter and Irish citizen, who was planning to cover the upcoming presidential elections, The Irish Times reported on May 2.
According to a statement from Romanian border police, Bowes was detained and deported upon arrival at Bucharest’s international airport on May 1.
Romanian officials explained that during the state of emergency currently in effect—which prohibits foreigners from entering the country and interfering in its politics—Bowes was not permitted to remain. The border police provided him with a form listing charges and instructions for appealing the decision. Instead of waiting to contest the ruling, Bowes booked a flight to Turkey, departing several hours later.
RT is banned in the European Union, being a plain propaganda tool for the Russian government. Bowes has publicly supported Russia’s war against Ukraine and defended Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy. In June 2023, he represented Russia at the United Nations and accused NATO of inciting the Russo–Ukrainian war.
Romania’s governing coalition has set the presidential election’s first round for May 4 and the second round for May 18.
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