About 100 persons suspected of involvement in riots released from arrest

The Department of Penitentiary Institutions has announced that 98 persons suspected of involvement in the April 7 riots were set free from arrest, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the Department, 106 persons, including four minors, had been held in the Penitentiary No. 13 in Chisinau. The Department says that no detainee held in the Penitentiary was subjected to violence, constraint or other types of inhuman treatment. The institution’s doctors examined the detainees and assessed their condition. Medical assistance was provided when needed. Eight persons are now held in the Penitentiary No. 13 over the same charges. Last week, the Penitentiary No. 13 was visited by representatives of the OSCE, ombudspersons and the Consultative Board – the national mechanism for the prevention of torture in detention centers that was created in 2008 under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture. During these visits, representatives of the mentioned authorities had private meetings with those suspected of involvement in the April 7 public disorder, the Department of Penitentiary Institutions said. Earlier, the press broadcast the statements of a number of young persons, who said they were beaten and tortured while under arrest. Human rights organizations and law associations took attitude and said they would provide free legal assistance to the victims. The press also reported that three young persons died during the April 7 protests after beaten by the police.