OSCE Mission asks organisation of elections in Corjova without hindrance or intimidation

OSCE Mission asks the central authorities of Moldova to ensure that the elections in Corjova are held without problems. “Voters should be allowed to freely exercise their right to vote and to elect their mayor and their local council, without any hindrance or intimidation and all those who were involved in the events which took place in Corjova on June 3, 2007 should show restraint and flexibility this weekend in order to prevent a repetition of the tense situation experienced then.” Meanwhile, Amnesty International calls attention to the fact that a candidate for Mayor of Corjova, Dubasari district, located in the self-proclaimed Transnistrian republic, is kept info confinement at the police station in Dubasari since June 2. He and his family have not been informed of the reasons for his arrest, and they have not been allowed to see the court order for his detention either. His family has not been allowed to pass on necessary medication to him via the prison authorities. On Thursday, June 14, Valeriu Ciobanu, resident of Corjova village, told a news conference held in Chisinau that the village is surrounded by the Transnistrian militia, and the situation is tensed, similarly to the one occurred two weeks ago. The Transnistrian authorities, who do not want to recognise Corjova as a part of Moldova, try to prohibit the villagers from participating in elections. In light of this situation, the incumbent mayor, who had to be present at the conference, remained in the village to encourage the residents. On June 3, only about 100 citizens managed to cast their votes, because the Transnistrian militia prohibited by force the organisation of the polls.