The Government of Moldova welcomes the release from jail of the Transnistrian journalist Sergey Ilchenko by the separatist regime and condemns his four-month detention for political reasons. The authorities pledge to provide assistance to the journalist and his family in his reinstatement and his social and psychological rehabilitation, IPN has learned from the Reintegration Office.

On March 18, Sergey Ilchenko was arrested in Tiraspol and charged with actions of extremism following the posting of comments on social networking sites by him. During the four months of his detention, the Moldovan authorities and a series of civil society organizations and international institutions made approaches, asking unconditionally and immediately setting free the journalist and respecting the rights of his family. As a result of the pressure and persecution to which the journalist’s son Nicolae Ilchenko was subject, this had to leave Transnistria and found refuge in Chisinau.

The competent state institutions said they will monitor the developments in this case. In order to prevent such abuses in the future, this case will be maintained on the agenda of the existing dialogue platform that involves all the players taking part in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, which can help ensure the observance of the rights in the Transnistrian region.