Declaration signed by Filat and Smirnov arouses concern, Promo-LEX

The declaration signed by Prime Minister Vlad Filat and the leader of the Transnistrian region Igor Smirnov arouses concern, the head of Promo-LEX Association Ion Manole has told Info-Prim Neo. “We are concerned especially about the point which says that the constitutional law enforcement bodies will cooperate with the illegal bodies of Transnistria. But there are certain state rules according to which the constitutional law enforcement bodies must defend the citizens and people who are on Moldova’s territory, including from the actions of the separatist Transnistrian administration,” said Ion Manole. He also said that under the Constitution and the national legislation, the constitutional authorities cannot cooperate with the illegal bodies, especially when there is an exchange or expulsion of persons. “In such situations, the presumption of innocence of the person is violated. The constitutional authorities can hand over persons only in the cases described by the law, observing the necessary procedures,” said the head of Promo-LEX. According to Ion Manole, the situation in Moldova is very serious. “There are cases when persons are practically kidnapped by employees of the constitutional police and handed over to the Transnistrian authorities, without drawing up the necessary documents. These persons become victims of the constitutional law enforcement bodies, which must in fact protect them,” said Manole. He stressed that in 1999 the then Minister of the Interior Victor Catan and Transnistria’s representative Vladimir Kurisiko signed an agreement that quickly lost its value, but the constitutional law enforcement bodies continued to cooperate with the illegal bodies. On November 21, Vlad Filat met with the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov in Bender, where they signed a declaration. Under the declaration, the constitutional law enforcement bodies will cooperate with the Transnistrian bodies in combating crime.