Jailed journalist’s mother addresses international community
Tamara Shaghoyan, the mother of Transdnestria-based Armenian national journalist Ernest Vardanyan jailed in Transdnestria for allegedly spying for Moldova, has addressed an open letter to the international community asking to expedite her son's release.
According to Mrs. Shaghoyan, Transdnestrian authorities subjected Ernest to violence and forced him to confess to the crime.
In the letter addressed to President of Transdnestria Igror Smirnov, Tamara Shazoyan urges the president to take drastic measures to release her son. She also demands that the case be heard in the European Court on an expedited basis.
Ernest Vardanyan was arrested by Transdnestrian security forces on April 7 this year on charges of espionage.
On December 16, the Transdnestrian Supreme Court sentenced Vardanyan to 15 years in prison.
