Moldova risks another ECHR conviction for torture

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued the decision to urgently examine the case “Colibaba vs. Moldova”, in connection with the exclusive character of the circumstances of the case. Vitali Colibaba sued Moldova in the European Court, claiming that he was subjected to torture by a group of policemen. Roman Zadoinov, Colibaba’s lawyer, told on October 30 a press conference that the plaintiff was arrested by the police bodies on April 21, 2006, being accused of committing an assault on a policeman. From April 25 to 28, he was subjected to torture at the Police Commissariat of Buiucani district and at the General Police Commissariat, to recognize this accusation. In this respect, Colibaba was tied hand and foot and hanged from a metallic bar, Zadoinov said. Subsequently, both the lawyer and the Amnesty International Organization asked to examine this case, but neither the Prosecution Office nor the court took into consideration this petition, refusing to initiate criminal proceedings for application of torture. On June 22, Zadoinov delivered to the ECHR the petition regarding the application of torture and committing of other violations of the human rights. The plaintiff sought a material remedy of 700 thousand EUR. On June 26, Prosecutor General delivered a letter to the Bar Association through which he announced penal proceedings against the advocates of Colibaba for the deeds that “undermine the reputation of Moldova at international plan”. During the conference, Vitali Colibaba confirmed that he was subjected to torture by the employees of the police bodies. According to the Amnesty International representatives and Colibaba’s lawyer, the ECHR’s urgent examination of the case denotes the fact that Moldova will be condemned on this case. Chisinau has been sentenced this year for torture in the case “Corsacov versus Moldova”.