Moldovan president welcomes release of Transnistria-jailed journalist
Moldovan acting President, Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu has welcomed the release of journalist Ernest Vardanean, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for "high treason and espionage in Moldova's favour" by the breakaway Transnistrian authorities, according to the parliament's media relations department.
The message said:
"Building a state based on the rule of law and ensuring a good activity of the institutions of a democratic society are among the essential goals of the Moldovan authorities. These goals are valid for the operation of the media outlets, press freedom and the right to free expression, as they are essential for the fate of the Moldovan democracy. Free, responsible and impartial press can contribute to promoting the democratic principles and values in society, and a free press implies no pressure on the media outlets.
The Moldovan authorities paid high attention to the journalist's case, sparing no efforts to set him free. Vardanean's arrest was viewed as inadmissible from the outset; we consistently advocated his immediate and unconditional release as the case was seen as an attempt to intimidate the non-governmental organizations and independent media, and to undermine the talks on a political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.
The Moldovan authorities' efforts to release Vardanean were backed by many non-governmental organizations, as well as national and international organizations, which joined in to demand the journalist's release, pointing to the violation of his fundamental rights. The case of the journalist detained in Tiraspol was discussed at the commission for human rights of the European Parliament. Representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited in Moldova took a stance, expressing their concern and saying that the world will closely monitor the situation in order to be sure that his personal and legal rights are observed.
Following a continuous process of monitoring, raising people's awareness about the case and mobilizing efforts in order to release the journalist, including via diplomatic levers, Ernest Vardanean was set free and returned to his family. I welcome this positive step, which is a good example to follow in other contexts too, and which has a potential necessary to prevent undesired worsening of the situation."
Moldpres
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