NEW DELHI: A prominent Indian activist and writer has said she was prevented from flying to Europe to speak about intimidation of journalists and rights in the world’s largest democracy.

Journalists and activists have long complained of harassment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government has been accused of trying to silence critical reporting.

Rana Ayyub, a fierce critic of Modi and his Hindu nationalist government, was due to take a flight to London on Tuesday and then to Italy to attend different events.

But Ayyub, 37, said on Twitter that she was stopped at Mumbai airport because of an investigation by authorities into an alleged money laundering case against her.

The events in Europe had “been planned and publicised all over my social media for weeks. Yet, curiously the... summon arrived in my mail much after I was stopped at the immigration,” she said.

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Ayyub has been told to appear on Friday for questioning in connection with the case, local media reports said.

The Indian Enforcement Directorate, which was not immediately available for comment on Wednesday, has accused Ayyub of siphoning off money meant for coronavirus victims for her personal use.