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The lack of psychological expertise for the victims of violence and the lack of tactics of investigation of torture crimes committed in Transnistria are two major problems during the investigation of torture in the Republic of Moldova.

We discussed this with Vadim Vieru, Lawyer at Promo-LEX Association: Currently we can identify two pressing problems related to the investigation of cases of torture in Moldova; the first is the possibility to conduct a psychological examination for the victims of torture. At this stage, the criminal prosecution body may order only a psychiatric-psychological expertise, which is slightly different. If psychological examinations by professional experts were possible, then the cases would be better documented and investigated, and evidence would be accumulated regarding the facts of torture committed against persons.

The second problem is the investigation of crimes of torture committed in the Transnistrian region. Unfortunately, the General Prosecutor’s Office does not have any tactics to investigate the crimes of torture committed in the Transnistrian region and, as a result, torturers remain unpunished. I mean, there aren’t any concrete tactics for the investigation of this type of crimes and I would recommend to the General Prosecutor’s Office to develop specific tactics for the investigation of crimes committed in the Transnistrian region.

Thus, the main recommendations are: first, to amend and adjust the regulatory framework in order to have the possibility to conduct only a psychological examination, without psychiatric-psychological expertise and to train experts in this area. The second recommendation is to developed tactics for the investigation of crimes torture, committed in the Transnistrian region.

Material developed during the anti-torture week that marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26 June.   Documentation, investigation of torture and rehabilitation of victims: gaps and solutions – a Promo-LEX initiative.