Answering journalists’ question about the protection of Pridnestrovian citizens' rights against politically motivated criminal prosecution in Moldova, the acting foreign minister underscored that such incidents should be immediately reported to the Pridnestrovian authorities.
"In my opinion, our citizens cannot and must not remain one to one with Moldova's 'legal roller', with the pressure being exerted on them. Pridnestrovie has sufficient mechanisms and instruments to secure and protect their interests," said the minister.
"Pridnestrovie is ready to protect in every way its citizens. I emphasise that first of all it is necessary to inform internal affairs bodies, the prosecutor's office and, of course, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because the control and analysis of this situation, along with the elaboration of a solution to this issue, are one of key tasks of the negotiation process and are within the competence of political negotiators. We will do our best within our jurisdiction so that our citizens feel protected," underscored Vitaly Ignatyev.
A Pridnestrovian member of the Joint Control Commission, head of the Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Konstantin Kalinenok, said, in turn, that in 2015 there were 11 cases when Moldovan policemen tried to detain Pridnestrovian citizens in Bendery and Dubossary.
"Their relatives quickly informed the militsiya, we arrived and prevented such actions. In this context, I'd recommend that relatives of the citizens detained in Moldova for one reason or another call Pridnestrovian law enforcement bodies. We have certain methods and levers to use," he noted.
According to the MFA press service, the first deputy of the Investigation Committee chairman, Vasily Kovach, emphasised that Pridnestrovian residents, having the Russian nationality, has the right to ask for help at Russia's Investigation Committee.
"With the assistance of the Investigation Committee of the PMR, which could share certain documents with their Russian colleagues. Russia will always stand for its citizens," said the Investigation Committee representative.
