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Transnistrian president pardons jailed Ernest Vardanyan
21:25 - 05.05.11
The President of the Republic of Transnistria, Igor Smirnov, has
pardoned Ernest Vardanyan, a local journalist of Armenian origin
sentenced over high treason charges.
According to the Russian-languages Rosbalt.ru website, Smirnov
announced about the pardon personally.
Accused of spying for Moldova, Ernest Vardanyan was arrested by the
Transnistrian Security Services on 7 April 2010.
On 16 December 2010 a Transnistrian court sentenced him to 15 years in
prison according to the Article 271 of the country's Criminal Code
(high treason).
Vardanyan has however denied the accusations.
Since his arrest and trail a series of international rights
organizations have condemned Transnistrian authorities and demanded
Vardanyan's release.
Vardanyan's relatives in their turn took steps to have him released.
His mother wrote letters Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin, as well as to the leaders of the rest of G8
countries.
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian
21:25 - 05.05.11
The President of the Republic of Transnistria, Igor Smirnov, has
pardoned Ernest Vardanyan, a local journalist of Armenian origin
sentenced over high treason charges.
According to the Russian-languages Rosbalt.ru website, Smirnov
announced about the pardon personally.
Accused of spying for Moldova, Ernest Vardanyan was arrested by the
Transnistrian Security Services on 7 April 2010.
On 16 December 2010 a Transnistrian court sentenced him to 15 years in
prison according to the Article 271 of the country's Criminal Code
(high treason).
Vardanyan has however denied the accusations.
Since his arrest and trail a series of international rights
organizations have condemned Transnistrian authorities and demanded
Vardanyan's release.
Vardanyan's relatives in their turn took steps to have him released.
His mother wrote letters Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin, as well as to the leaders of the rest of G8
countries.
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian