Comments by the Bureau for Reintegration Policies on the Release of Two Citizens from illegal detention in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova

Bureau for Reintegration Policies welcomes the release from unlawful detention of Emilian Ceban and Evghenii Pancioha, residents of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, who were illegally detained for several years by Tiraspol security structures.

Both cases remained the focus of constant attention from the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration and the Bureau for Reintegration Policies. In cooperation with international partners, all possible efforts were undertaken, including repeated appeals addressed to Tiraspol’s political representative and to the participants in the Transnistrian settlement negotiation process.  

In all of our appeals, we have consistently called for the immediate and unconditional release of all citizens unlawfully held in detention, the full restoration of their fundamental rights and freedoms, the provision of the necessary assistance, and the investigation of their cases by the law enforcement authorities empowered by law.

We reiterate that, in our appeals, we have consistently called for a comprehensive solution to the issue of persecution and illegal deprivation of liberty in the eastern districts of the country, including through the elimination of the “pretexts” for committing such abuses and gross violations of human rights.

We will continue to insist on positive outcomes in other cases involving citizens detained in the Transnistrian region.