Moldova was again found guilty by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) because of the inhuman detention conditions in Prison No. 13 of Chisinau. On March 3, the Court made public its decision in the case of Pisaroglu versus Moldova. The applicant in this case is Natalia Pisaroglu, born in 1987, IPN reports.

The woman was arrested in July 2010 on charges of trafficking in human beings and placed in detention on remand. At the time of submitting her final observations in the case, the applicant was still detained in Prison No. 13 in Chisinau where, according to her, the conditions of detention were very poor. In particular, the applicant alleged that the cells were overcrowded, dirty and cold, with no access to daylight or fresh air, no bedding, very poor quality food, showers only once a week, only cold water, and clothes had to be washed and dried in the cell. The applicant submitted that the conditions of detention in Prison No. 13 amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment.

The Court noted that the poor conditions of detention in this particular detention facility were established for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 by the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of the United Nations and by the Moldovan Ombudsperson. The Government adduced no evidence in support of their submission to the effect that considerable improvements in Prison No. 13 had taken place during recent years.

The applicant claimed €5,000 in respect of non‑pecuniary damage suffered as a result of her detention in inhuman and degrading conditions and €207 for the costs and expenses incurred before the Court. The Court awarded the applicant €3,000 in respect of non‑pecuniary damage and €207 for costs and expenses.