Amnesty International has warned the Moldovan authorities that they violated the obligations concerning human rights by refusing to provide mandatory medical treatment in the case of two detainees - Sergei Cosovan, businessman an local councilor from Codru town, and David Davitean, son of the president of the Armenian diaspora in Moldova. In a press release, the organization says Sergei Cosovan suffers from cirrhosis, while David Davitean hasn’t received appropriate medical care following the serious injuries suffered during detention owing to alleged ill-treatment on the part of the penitentiary’s personnel, IPN reports.
Amnesty International collected evidence showing that Sergei Cosovan and David Davitean, even if they need urgent specialized medical care outside prison, do not benefit from this. In April, the administration of Penitentiary No. 16 repeatedly didn’t allow Sergei Cosovan, 46, to undergo urgent surgical and post-operatory treatment in a specialized medical unit. At the end of June, employees of Penitentiary No. 13 refused to allow to hospitalize David Davitean, 32, who suffered multiple wounds, including nose and arm injuries.
According to the organization, the Chisinau Prosecutor’s Office didn’t react to the maltreatment accusations despite the fact that the National Administration of Penitentiaries and the Office of the People’s Ombudsman confirmed that David Davitean suffered injuries. On July 18, the organization filed an application to the Prosecutor General’s Office concerning the investigations into the cases of the two detainees, but received no answer so far.
Amnesty International requests the Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a prompt, impartial and efficient investigation to determine the accuracy of David Davitean’s statements concerning ill-treatment in detention and to hold accountable those to blame. The Ministry of Justice and the National Administration of Penitentiaries are asked to act immediately to provide emergency and hospital medical assistance to the two detainees.
Sergei Cosovan has been held on remand at Penitentiary No. 16 of Pruncul on charges of fraud and abuse of power since September 26, 2017. The detention period was extended for several times and his state of health worsened, the cirrhosis causing repeated hemorrhages and necessitating surgery.
David Davitean was convicted of theft in 2017. He repeatedly complained he was maltreated at Penitentiary No.13. In a letter to Amnesty International, the detainee says he was beaten for about four hours, including with a metal bar, in the penitentiary. His parents intervened and David Davitean was taken to the hospital, where specialists recommended urgent hospital treatment, but the administration of Penitentiary No.13. refused permission.
Amnesty International reminds that in 2017 the UN Committee against Torture expressed its concern about the quality of medical assistance provided to detainees in the penitentiary system of Moldova. It recommended the Moldovan authorities to step up efforts and train the medical personnel as the refusal to ensure medical care can, in particular circumstances, represent torture or ill-treatment.
