Update: The Bureau for Reintegration Policies welcomed the release of Emilian Ceban and Evghenii Pancioha, noting that both cases had been a constant focus of attention for the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Valeriu Chiveri, and the Bureau. According to the BPR, joint efforts were made with external partners throughout their detention, and representatives from Tiraspol and participants in the Transnistrian settlement negotiations were kept constantly informed.

The BPR states that it has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of all citizens illegally detained in the Transnistrian region, the restoration of their rights, and an investigation of these cases by the competent authorities. The institution affirms that it will continue its efforts to find solutions for the other cases of citizens held in illegal detention as well.

Initial news: Evghenii Pancioha and Emilian Ceban, two men convicted by the authorities in Tiraspol of alleged treason, were released after eight and four years in prison, respectively. The Promo-LEX Association maintains that the two were convicted unlawfully, according to IPN.

The association notes that Evghenii Pancioha was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Furthermore, he did not receive a fair trial, did not have access to independent legal counsel or the necessary medical care, and his health deteriorated during his detention.

Emilian Ceban was arrested in 2022, at the age of 18, after he refused to sign a ten-year military contract with the paramilitary forces in the Transnistrian region and expressed his intention to move to the right bank of the Dniester. Subsequently, according to Promo-LEX, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for alleged treason.

The organization points out that Emilian Ceban does not possess any identification documents and is not a citizen of any country. In this context, Promo-LEX calls on the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to provide him with support in obtaining the necessary documents so that he can continue his studies or find employment. At the same time, the association states that both men who were released need medical, psychological, and legal assistance to recover from their time in detention.

Promo-LEX is also calling on the authorities to investigate the circumstances under which the two were deprived of their liberty and the degrading treatment to which they were subjected. The organization is also calling for the creation of a national support mechanism for individuals released from detention in the Transnistrian region, noting that, at present, they do not receive specialized assistance for reintegration.