Ilie Cazac's mother hospitalized on 14th day of hunger strike

Stela Surkichyan, the mother of Ilie Cazac who is detained in Transnistria on espionage charges, has been hospitalized today on the 14th day of her hunger strike. The woman told Info-Prim Neo she had been in pain all the night before being unable to get out of the tent in the morning. Although very weak, the woman is determined to return to her tent outside the Russian Embassy in Chisinau and continue, together with her husband, their hunger strike until Ilie is released. “The doctors told me I have to stay in hospital as many days as my hunger strike has lasted, that is a fortnight, but I'm not sure I have time for this. I need to be strong to fight further. I'll stay here as long as it takes them to get me on my own feet and, if they don't release my son, I'll be back again protesting and fasting”, said Ilie's mother. She said she expected from the authorities in Chisinau, in particular Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Victor Osipov, to keep their word and organize a meeting with Ilie. Meanwhile, Ilie's father, Alexandru Vinitski, continues to be on a hunger strike outside the Russian Embassy. Ilie Cazac, 24, was a tax inspector in Bender before being arrested in March on charges of treason and spying in favor of Moldova, under which he faces 20 years in prison. His parents haven't seen him since, and are unaware of his place of imprisonment and his health. Stela Surkichyan and Alexandr Vinitski believe Russia, as a powerful mediator in the conflict, may put pressure on the Transnistrian authorities to free Ilie. Russian Ambassador Valeri Kuzmin said in turn that Transnistria had its own authorities, albeit unrecognized, and that Russia wouldn't break the diplomatic procedures.