Russian Embassy vows to help free Corjova detainees

The Russian Embassy in Chisinau has promised to take steps to release the Corjova mayor and councilman from Transnistrian militia's detention, albeit this is not within its competence. This was announced after discussions between a group of Nistru war veterans, and Sergei Gorlov, senior counselor at the embassy. The meeting took place at the request of the veterans, who had picketed the Embassy for two days, on Thursday and Friday, in protest against the arrest by the Transnistrian militia of Valeriu Mitsul, the mayor of Corjova, and local councilman Iurie Cotsofan, as they were participating in a memorial event dedicated to the Nistru war. “We had a long talk with Sergei Gorlov and he promised that measures would be taken to release our comrades from detention, though he mentioned that that was not within the Embassy's competence. We also solicited the intervention of Moldova's Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir, and he contacted Russia's Patriarch Kirill requesting his help”, said Eduard Maican, a veteran leader. The members of the administration of Corjova, a village located on the eastern bank of the Nistru, were arrested in front of the local church after a memorial service. The Transnistrian militia ignored the pleas of the village's priest who tried to defend the two men. The Corjova village church is part of the Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is subordinated to the Russian Orthodox Church. The veterans have said that they will be forced to “undertake other measures” if Mitsul and Cotsofan aren't released.