AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Public Statement

AI Index: EUR 59/001/2004 (Public)

News Service No: 141

3 June 2004

Moldova: Concerns about conditions of detention remain

Alexandru Lesco, who has served 12 years in prison in the self-proclaimed Dnestr Moldavian Republic (DMR) was released early on 2 June.

Amnesty International notes his release but remains concerned about the conditions of detention of the remaining two members of the “Tiraspol Six”, Andrei Ivantoc and Tudor Petrov-Popa who are still imprisoned. The DMR declared itself independent of Moldova in 1990 and its status has still not been recognized internationally.

Background

Alexandru Lesco and the other members of the "Tiraspol Six" were sentenced in December 1992 after a court convicted them of murdering two DMR officials and planning other violent political acts during the period of armed conflict between DMR and the Moldovan forces. Petru Godiac and Vladimir Garbuz were released in 1994 and Ilie Ilascu in 2001.

Amnesty International expressed its concerns at the time of the trial about the possible use of the death sentence and was concerned that the trial fell short of international standards. One defendant described being refused access to a lawyer of his choice for almost two months during which time he was allegedly subjected to mock executions on four occasions. Throughout their imprisonment Amnesty International has called for a review of the case and expressed concern about ill-treatment and inadequate medical treatment.