Custody of journalist from Armenia extended in Transdniestria

The term of arrest of Armenian journalist Ernest Vardanian, suspected of espionage and treason, has been extended in Transdniestria by one month more.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported previously that Ernest Vardanian was arrested in Tiraspol on April 7.

Alexander Postike, the journalist's representative in the European Court of Human Rights, states that Ernest Vardanian' wife has informed him the court session took place on Friday, July 2, in Tiraspol. In her turn, Irina Vardanian had been informed on the court session one hour before the event by the public lawyer provided by the Tiraspol authorities.
 
"We are not allowed to attend the hearings, no one tells us what is happening on the case, while the public lawyer does not cooperate with Ernest Vardanian's family", adds Postike.
 
He also notes that, as Ernest Vardanian's representatives in the European Court of Human Rights, he is going to inform the court about the proceedings, reports the "Komsomolskaya Pravda" newspaper.

OSCE representatives were not allowed to attend the pervious court hearings. Vardanian's relatives claim that "the aim of such clandestine methods is to avoid international response and suppress the public opinion on the issue".

The journalist's relatives have again appealed to the Transdniestria authorities "to listen to reason and demonstrate political will on the issue of immediate release of Ernest Vardanian", reports Radio "Liberty".

A special sight in support of Ernest Vardanian has been opened in Armenia. The protectors of the journalist, considering the fact that he has two small children, call on the Transdniestria authorities to release Vardanian against recognisance not to leave.