Activist Fiodor Ghelici expressed his readiness to intermediate, as the ambassador of the International Organization for Educational Development (www.ioed.in) based in India, the discussions concerning the release of the Moldovan pilots who were taken hostage in Afghanistan.
In a news conference at IPN, Fiodor Ghelici said he sent a letter to New Delhi whereby he informed the president of the given organization about his intention. However, for the organization to be able to become involved, the Moldovan authorities should also express wish. In the morning of April 12, he received an answer from India. He was delegated to make an approach to the Government of Moldova, the police, the Prosecutor’s Office and other entities that possess information about this case.
“Given that Moldova has no diplomatic relations with India at present, I think the Government, in the interests of the country’s citizens, will mobilize all the bodies and will swiftly collect the necessary information that will be transmitted to India so that we could bring the Moldovans home,” stated Fiodor Ghelici.
A helicopter owned by a Moldovan company was captured by Taliban rebels in Afghanistan following a forced landing in November 2015. The crew consisted of three Moldovan pilots, one of whom died. Videos of the two pilots who remained alive were broadcast by a Moldovan TV channel on April 11. The two call on the Moldovan authorities to help them return home.
