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APPEAL regarding the constitutional authorities’ involvement in the case of Alexandru Bejan from Tiraspol
The issue on the functioning of the Latin script teaching schools from the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova remains an actual one. During the last 20 years, the administration of the Transnistrian region has undertaken countless acts of intimidation, persecution and blocking of the activity of educational institutions from the Transnistrian region, which haven’t accepted the control of the administration from Tiraspol, insisting thus to remain under the jurisdiction of the constitutional authorities from R. Moldova. These institutions, parents, scholars, teachers or administrations have been constantly exposed to several attacks of the regional, local administrations and other structures in the region. The last serious attack of these institutions was registered in the summer of 2004, when some of these institutions have been devastated. Thanks to the intervention of international specialized organizations, the activity of those institutions has been resumed. Shortly, after the examination of cases and hearing the parties, the European Court is to decide on 3 of the cases in which parents and teachers complained that their rights are violated.
This time, civil society and constitutional authorities have been informed by Alexandru Bejan and his relatives about the manufacture of a case against him. Alexandru Bejan, supported by his classmates, teachers and relatives, considers that this action is an attempt of the regional administration to compromise again the image of Latin script teaching schools from Transnistrian region.
Bejan Alexandru, born in 1994, has lived until 2009 in Tocmazeia village, Grigoriopol district (which is being controlled by the regional administration, Transnistria), where he has studied in a Moldovan (Romanian) with Cyrillic script teaching school. In 2009, Alexandru together with his family came to Tiraspol. Because except schools teaching in Cyrillic script there has been also functioning “Lucian Blaga” High School (Moldovan (Romanian) with Latin script teaching school), he has chosen to attend this institution in order to study in his native language with Latin script, following his own beliefs. He has been accepted for studying in this high school beginning with the winter session on January, 11th, 2010, even if some of his relatives have advised his parents to forbid him studying at this high school because this might have negative consequences towards their family (due to “increased” attention of the local and regional administrations and structures).
On October, 11th, 2009, Alexandru Bejan assisted, without interfering, in a clash (quarrel) where his classmate was involved. The “investigation bodies” from the region have qualified his colleague’s deed as an aggravated hooliganism and have considered Alexandru’s presence as co-participation (complicity).
Being minor, lacking lawyer’s assistance, in the absence of his parents, maltreated and detained, being under pressure Alexandru has admitted his guilt, without understanding the sense, the circumstances and the consequences. For a sanction which foresees the suspension of execution, Alexandru has unconsciously admitted his guilt. Finally, Alexandru has been sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment with suspension of the sentence execution for 4 years.
On June, 6th, 2012, a release has appeared on the web page of the so-called “Security Ministry” of the Transnistrian region, announcing that a postal terrorist has been identified and brought to justice. Instead, Alexandru Bejan was announced only on June, 12th about the presumed accusation and handed the “indictment.”
On June, 14th, 2012 Promo-LEX Association has been notified by Alexandru Bejan, who communicated us that he is persecuted by the “law enforcement bodies” from Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, by using violence, he has been forced to admit committing a presumed terrorist offence. Accusation is entirely based on samples (evidence) obtained by blackmail, violence, pressure and violation of the right to defense. The social context in which Alexandru is being harassed for his beliefs and the fact that he studies at a scholar institution dissident to the illegal regime from Tiraspol can’t be excluded. After June 14th, 2012 mass media on the right bank of Nistru River has published multiple articles about Alexandru’s situation and that he is prosecuted by the “special” services of the regime.
Following these news, on June, 25th, 2012, a release has appeared on the web page of the so-called “Ministry of Security” (http://kgb-pmr.com/news/80), offering compromising information about Alexandru’s personality. Moreover, by the end of the release there can be observed a direct threat towards Alexandru Bejan, concerning his imprisonment. Thus, the risk of Alexandru’s Bejan imprisonment is rather founded.
On October, 15th, 2012 the next “court hearing” will take place and a final sentence might be pronounced. Along the way, Alexandru Bejan has been assisted by two “lawyers” from the Eastern region of Moldova, but both of them have finally refused providing him legal assistance, because they have strongly recommended him to admit his guilt and he has been categorically denying committing any offence.
We want to mention that the practice of applying pressure, blackmail and limitations of any kind is widely used by the so-called law enforcement bodies from the Transnistrian region which are investigating criminal cases. This practice has been repeatedly reported in several cases lodged before the European Court of Human Rights.
In the light of the above described situation, we request:
– to set a general ban on using illegal practices in documenting alleged crimes;
– to allow the monitoring of the situation of detainees who have been sanctioned by the so-called courts in the region;
– to intervene in the situation of Alexandru Bejan and not allow his conviction based on alleged evidence obtained by threats and unacceptable methods.