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2011-05-24

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MDA 210411.1

Follow-up of the case MDA 210411

Threats/ Denial of adequate medical care/ Fear for the safety

 

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has received new information on the following situation in the Republic of Moldova/ Region of Transnistria.

NEW INFORMATION

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and Antenna International, a member organisation of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, that Mr. Illie Cazac, a 25-year-old resident of Tighina (Bender), who was arrested by members of the Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the unrecognized Transnistrian authorities (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic [1] or PMR, also known as "Pridnestrovie"), on 20 March 2010, allegedly tortured and ill-treated in custody, and later sentenced to 14 years in prison "for grand treason and espionage in favour of the Republic of Moldova", remains detained in Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2, without access to an independent doctor and at risk of further threats and harassment.

According to the information received, although Mr. Illie Cazac was allowed, on 22 April 2011, to receive from his mother some food and medicines as well as to have a daily phone call with his family, he was also forced to provide a written explanation to the prison administration on how his case became known at the international level. Furthermore, according to the same information received, two criminal detainees, who had been previously detained along with Mr. Illie Cazac in Penitentiary no. 1/ Glinaia in summer 2010, and who had allegedly beaten and threatened him with death and rape, were recently transferred to Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2 without any particular reason. OMCT fears for the safety of Mr. Illie Cazac. 

According to the same information received, on 22 April 2011, Mr. Illie Cazac's mother was informed that he would be allowed to "invite" a doctor to examine him, albeit only a doctor practising in the Transnistrian region. In the meantime, Mr. Illie Cazac was examined, on 26 and 27 April 2011, by a stomatologist from the prison's medical unit with regard to his toothaches. The doctor reportedly suggested him to extract six to seven teeth as the prison's medical unit is not equipped to treat dental caries, which he refused. On 16 May 2011, after complaining about chest pain, Mr. Illie Cazac was reportedly again examined by a doctor from the medical unit and had an electrocardiogram (ECG). However, he was reportedly not properly informed by the doctor about the diagnosis and the medicines his mother would need to buy for him. Mr. Illie Cazac would also suffer from digestive and gastric problems.

OMCT reiterates its previous call to the de facto Transnistrian authorities to guarantee that Mr. Illie Cazac is promptly examined by an independent doctor and to allow his transfer to a hospital where he can receive adequate medical care. More generally, OMCT remains gravely concerned about the safety and physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ilie Cazac and of his family and reiterates its call to the de facto Transnistrian authorities to guarantee his safety at all times.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

OMCT had earlier been informed about the arrest and detention of Mr. Illie Cazac, an appointed inspector at the city's tax inspectorate, on 20 March 2010, on alleged charges of "state betrayal" and "espionage in favor of the Republic of Moldova" (according to the version of the Transnistrian authorities). To date, the details of the accusations remain unclear. After Mr. Ilie Cazac's arrest, his home was also reportedly searched by members of the MGB.

According to the information received, Mr. Ilie Cazac was arrested at home, in the city of Tighina, and first held incommunicado. His family was not informed about his arrest and fate for two weeks. Mr. Cazac allegedly suffered torture and ill-treatment, including beatings and conditions of detention amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, with a view of extracting a "confession" (see Urgent appeal MDA 240111).

 According to the same information, Mr. Ilie Cazac was assisted in court by a lawyer appointed by the de facto Transnistrian authorities after being refused a lawyer from outside the region. This lawyer allegedly never informed on the details of the case. On 9 February 2011, following a trial held behind closed doors, Mr. Ilie Cazac was reportedly sentenced by the Supreme Court of the Transnistrian region to 14 years in prison.

Mr. Ilie Cazac was subsequently transferred to the Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2, where he has remained detained in poor health. He complained of terrible toothaches and inflammation but he was refused any adequate medical care and treatment.

OMCT has also been informed that Mr. Ilie Cazac's family has been repeatedly harassed, intimidated and threatened since his arrest by representatives of the de facto Transnistrian authorities, with the result that his family was forced to leave its home in Tighina.

 ACTION REQUESTED

Please write to the de facto authorities of the Region of Transnistria (so-called Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic), the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation, and urging them to:

  1. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ilie Cazac and of his family;
  2. Grant Mr. Ilie Cazac full access to a lawyer of his choice and his family, as well as guarantee that he is promptly examined by independent doctors and receives adequate and free medical care, in accordance with, inter alia, the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners;
  3. Order his immediate release;
  4. Carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into these events, in particular the allegations of torture and ill-treatment inflicted on Mr. Ilie Cazac, the result of which must be made public, in order to bring those responsible before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal and apply penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
  5. Ensure that adequate, effective and prompt reparation, including adequate compensation and rehabilitation, is granted to the victim concerned.

 ADDRESS:

 

De facto Transnistrian authorities:

  • Igor Smirnov, President of Transnistria, MD-3300, ул. 25 Октября, 45, for on-line petitions: http://president.pmr-gov.org/anketa. Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova;
  • Rogojina L. P., Presidential Administration, MD-3300, nr 45, 25-Oktyabrya str., Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova; tel:(373 533) 6-27-36; tel/fax: (373 533) 9-72-44;
  • Vladimir Antyufeev, Ministery of State Security, MD-3300, 42 Manoilova str., Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova; priem@mgb-pmr.org; tel/fax: (373533) 94627
  • Stepanov S., Ministry of Justice, MD-3300, 26 Lenina str., Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova; tel.: (373 533) 8-17-53, 9-20-41; inbox@justice.idknet.com
  • Vladimir Iastrebciak, Foreign Minister of Transnistria, MD-330, 45 Sverdlova str., Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova; office(at)mfa-pmr-pmr.org, tel/fax: (373 533) 74346
  • Anatoli Guretski, Prosecutor of Transnistria, MD-3300, Tiraspol, 383 Liebknecht str., Republic of Moldova; tel.: (373533) 9-51-47, 9-44-84; fax: (373533) 9-44-92;
  • Rimari V.S., Chairman of the Supreme Court, MD-3300, 29. Iunosti str., Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova; тел./факс: (373-533) 2-50-06, for on-line petitions: http://vspmr.org/mailform.php;
  • Kaminski A.V., Chairman of the Supreme Soviet (Local Parliament), MD-3300, ул. 25 Октября, 45,., Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova; kav@vspmr.org;

Republic of Moldova:

Russian Federation:

  • Mikhail Alexandrovich Fedotov, Chairman of the Presidential Human Rights Commission of the Russian Federation, 103132, Moskva, Staraya pl., d 8/5, pod 3, Fax: +7(495) 20 64 855;
  • Vladimir Lukin, Russian Federal Ombudsman for Human Rights, , Fax: +7 495 207-74-70;
  • Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva Av. de la Paix 15, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, E-mail: mission.russian@ties.itu.int , fax: +41 22 734 40 44;

 

Please also write to the embassies of the Republic of Moldova and of the Russian Federation in your respective country.

 

*******

Geneva, 17 May 2011. 

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.

 

[1] The Transnistrian region broke away from Moldova, declaring independence unilaterally in 1990. The self proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) is not recognized by the international community. Tighina (Bender) is a town controlled by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and of the self-proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Since the Moldovan-Russian Agreement on 21 July 1992, Tighina (Bender) is under a strong Russian peacekeeping presence.