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BusinessWeek
May 6 2011
Moldovan journalist pardoned in separatist region
CHISINAU, Moldova
Authorities in the breakaway region of Trans-Dniester have pardoned a
journalist they convicted of spying for the central government and
imprisoned.
The region's official news agency said Thursday that separatist leader
Igor Smirnov initiated the pardoning of reporter Ernest Vardanean.
Trans-Dniester -- which broke away over fears Moldova would reunite
with neighboring Romania -- fought a war with Moldovan forces in 1992
that killed 1,500 people. The region is not internationally recognized
but is supported by Russia, which has 500 troops stationed there.
Moldova's government had called the treatment of Vardanean a human
rights violation and demanded his release.
Vardanean, an ethnic Armenian, was arrested in April 2010, convicted
of spying and high treason, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9N1BI380.htm
From: A. Papazian
May 6 2011
Moldovan journalist pardoned in separatist region
CHISINAU, Moldova
Authorities in the breakaway region of Trans-Dniester have pardoned a
journalist they convicted of spying for the central government and
imprisoned.
The region's official news agency said Thursday that separatist leader
Igor Smirnov initiated the pardoning of reporter Ernest Vardanean.
Trans-Dniester -- which broke away over fears Moldova would reunite
with neighboring Romania -- fought a war with Moldovan forces in 1992
that killed 1,500 people. The region is not internationally recognized
but is supported by Russia, which has 500 troops stationed there.
Moldova's government had called the treatment of Vardanean a human
rights violation and demanded his release.
Vardanean, an ethnic Armenian, was arrested in April 2010, convicted
of spying and high treason, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9N1BI380.htm
From: A. Papazian