President of the unrecognized Republic of Transnistria Igor Smirnov has granted pardon to Ernest Vardanyan. He told the media representatives about during a meeting on Press Freedom Day.
On December 16, 2010, the Supreme Court of the Moldovan Republic of Transnistria sentenced the 30-year-old journalist-analyst of RIA “New Region” Ernest Vardanyan to 15 years of imprisonment for espionage and state treason .
“Olvia-Press” news agency said, in April, 2010, the national security service of Transnistria arrested Ernest Vardanyan accusing him in state treason according to article 271 of the Criminal Code of Transnistria. The journalist allegedly cooperated with special services of Moldova.
According to “Olvia-Press” Transnistrian news agency, during preliminary investigation and court hearings Ernest Vardanyan regreted for his deeds and told how he had been made to cooperate with the special services’ agents.
President of the unrecognized Republic of Transnistria Igor Smirnov has granted pardon to Ernest Vardanyan. He told the media representatives about during a meeting on Press Freedom Day.
On December 16, 2010, the Supreme Court of the Moldovan Republic of Transnistria sentenced the 30-year-old journalist-analyst of RIA “New Region” Ernest Vardanyan to 15 years of imprisonment for espionage and state treason .
“Olvia-Press” news agency said, in April, 2010, the national security service of Transnistria arrested Ernest Vardanyan accusing him in state treason according to article 271 of the Criminal Code of Transnistria. The journalist allegedly cooperated with special services of Moldova.
According to “Olvia-Press” Transnistrian news agency, during preliminary investigation and court hearings Ernest Vardanyan regreted for his deeds and told how he had been made to cooperate with the special services’ agents.
Ernest Vardanyan’s cousin Lilit Aghekyan who lives in Gyumri, told JNews that they had just learned the news from Ernest’s family but it was so unexpected that they started looking for confirmation in the media.
“We constantly sent letters, made statements and appealed to different international bodies, and we always hoped not in vain for we know Ernest is not guilty,” says Lilit. “I want to thank all the people who helped and supported us during these months. I’m grateful to the people of Gyumri.”
Ernest Vardanyan has two teenage childreen, a mother, a 16-year-old sister and a wife at home.
Source: Olvia-Press, Noviy Region 2, JNews.am and Puls