European prisons for Pridnestrovians?

European aspirations of the ruling class in Moldova are connected not least with expectations of specific economic benefits, be it unhindered access for Moldovan production to the EU market or inflow of investments in the national economy.

But if the first expectation euphoria vanished as soon as the information on quotas stipulated by the DACFTA (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, - News of Pridnestrovie) had been revealed, European money is still reckoned on in Chisinau. What is more, it has already been decided what top-priority goals the money will be spent on. Whereas in Pridnestrovie health care, education and culture facilities are being erected at the expense of free humanitarian aid provided by the Russian Federation (to be more specific, Russian autonomous non-commercial organization Eurasian Integration), the neighbouring republic's authorities have commenced the construction of europrisons.

On May 15, Moldova's MPs passed the bill on securing a 155-hectare plot of land for the construction of a prison.  The penal institution will meet all the requirements and standards. The project will cost 44.5 million EUR. Most of the funds - 39 million - will be provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, of course, with the return and for interest payments. The new prison will accommodate 1600 inmates.

The Moldovan authorities make it clear what contingent they'd like to see in such prisons. The words uttered at a parliamentary session by Ion Butmalai, a Liberal Democratic Party deputy, serve as litmus paper of Chisinau's policy towards Tiraspol.

"A European prison is a great idea. All separatists and those supporting Dmitry Rogozin will be imprisoned there," said Ion Butmalai.

However, the deputy did not take into consideration the prison's limited size. The number of those who come under the MP's "definition" coincides with the population of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. More than 97% of the Pridnestrovians consider their capital either Tiraspol or Moscow, but not Chisinau. Hardly could anyone doubt Dmitry Rogozin's over-the-top popularity among the Pridnestrovians, as witnessed by his recent visit to Tiraspol.

Surprisingly, the penal institutions are regarded by the Moldovan leadership as either some strategic sites or even  places of worship. It should be noted that on the territory of the Pridnestrovian city of Bendery such penal institutions of Moldova continue to operate despite widespread protests of the local population and republican authorities. Besides, one of these prisons is specially intended for inmates with TB. Meantime, according to Chisinau's officials, it has not kept tuberculous patients for a long time. The question that has to be answered is what is the purpose of Moldovan Justice Ministry officers standing guard over this facility. Though, a concrete message has come today from the Moldovan Parliament.