U.S. Embassy concerned about journalist Ernest Vardanean's arrest

The U.S. Embassy in Chisinau expresses its concerned about the recent arrest of journalist Ernest Vardanean in Transnistria and is seeking to find out more about the matter. “We have urged Mr. Smirnov (the leader of the Transnistrian region – e.n.) to ensure that Mr. Vardanean's human and legal rights are respected, and have received assurances that this will be the case,” the Embassy's press service said, when contacted by Info-Prim Neo. U.S. Ambassador Asif Chaudhry had a meeting with Igor Smirnov on April 15. According to the Transnistrian press, Igor Smirnov told the Ambassador that the journalist was arrested for breaking the laws of the region and that details about the case will be made public after the investigation is completed. Ernest Vardanean was arraigned on April 7 on suspicion that he spied for Moldova. He faces 12 to 20 years in jail. On April 10, a court in Tiraspol extended his arrest warrant for two months. The Moldovan constitutional authorities and a number of NGOs condemned the journalist's arrest.