Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat, who is investigated under arrest for passive corruption and traffic of influence, complained to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Lawyer Igor Popa has told the press that the complaint, which is the result of abusive and arbitrary actions on the part of the prosecutors and the administration of the penitentiary, was sent to the ECHR this morning, December 7, IPN reports.

Igor Popa said that Vlad Filat complains that his rights have been constantly violated, including the right to freedom and safety, to a fair trial and to family and private life. The MP is subject to pressure both by detainees and by the penitentiary’s administration.

The lawyer said that even if he and the ex-Premier’s family insisted that he should give up the hunger strike, Vlad Filat refused. This decided to go on hunger strike because his rights have been violated starting with the Parliament sitting, where he was deprived of parliamentary immunity, while the prosecutor general provided details, violating his presumption of innocence. According to the defense, the removal of immunity was an act planned with the aim of giving the impression that the former Premier already committed the offenses of which he is accused.

The lawyer also said that Vlad Filat transmitted the following message: “Dear political class, dear citizens of the Republic of Moldova, believe me that if we do not free this country from captivity, Moldova will not go on.”

The former Premier was arrested in October on charges of passive corruption and traffic of influence.