Follow-up of the case MDA 210411 and MDA 210411.1
Release
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.
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and Antenna International, a member organisation of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, about the release, on 31 October 2011, of Mr. Ilie Cazac,after being pardoned by the president of the unrecognized Transnistrian authorities (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic[1] or PMR, also known as "Pridnestrovie").
Mr. Ilie Cazac, a 25-year-old resident of Tighina (Bender), was arrested by members of the Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the unrecognized Transnistrian authorities, 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”. He was detained in Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2, without access to an independent doctor.
OMCT had earlier been informed about the arrest and detention of Mr. Ilie 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). The details of the accusations remained 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 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 was detained in poor health.
On 22 April 2011, although Mr. Ilie Cazac was allowed 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, two criminal detainees, who had been previously detained along with Mr. Ilie Cazac in Penitentiary no. 1/ Glinaia in summer 2010, and who had allegedly beaten and threatened him with death and rape, were reportedly transferred to Tiraspol Penitentiary no.2 without any particular reason.
On the same day, on 22 April 2011, Mr. Ilie Cazac’s mother was also informed that he would be allowed to “invite” a doctor to examine him, albeit only a doctor practising in the Transnistrian region. Mr. Ilie Cazac was later 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. Ilie Cazac was 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. Ilie Cazac also suffered from digestive and gastric problems.
OMCT was informed that Mr. Ilie Cazac’s family was 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.
Remarks
OMCT wishes to thank all of the individuals and organisations that have taking action as a response to the urgent appeals. No further action is currently required on your part concerning this case.
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Geneva, 1st November 2011
[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.
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