Urgent: Evgheni Pancioha illegally detained in Tiraspol for “treason”; international actors notified
Evgheni Pancioha, who has been unlawfully detained for eight years in the Transnistrian region on allegations of "treason," is facing a deterioration in his health. According to the "Promo-LEX" Association, there is an urgent need for intervention by the constitutional authorities. The Bureau of Reintegration Policies stated that this case is "under the institution's attention until a fair solution is achieved and the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms is ensured."
Evgheni Pancioha is facing severe health risks, including the possibility of death, due to inadequate medical treatment and inhumane conditions in detention, according to an appeal from "Promo-LEX."
Pancioha, a 42-year-old originally from Tiraspol, was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the occupation regime on December 21, 2018, for allegedly collaborating with Ukrainian secret services. He is currently being held in the illegal detention facility known as “UIN-2” in Tiraspol, where he is denied adequate medical care and lacks communication with the outside world.
“Available information raises serious concerns about Evgheni Pancioha's health due to the inhumane detention conditions and lack of medical care he has faced over the past eight years,” states "Promo-LEX."
The organization highlights that Pancioha, who previously worked in passenger and cargo transport, was abducted in 2018 from a customs area by officers of the "Ministry of Security" in Tiraspol (MGB). Initially, he was held in a basement before being transferred to the “SIZO-3” isolator, where he spent approximately 11 months in solitary confinement.
After his conviction in December 2018, Pancioha was moved to “UIN-2,” where he remained in solitary confinement for about two weeks.
“The so-called criminal trial was conducted behind closed doors, and the case file was allegedly classified, severely restricting access to the case materials. As a result, Evgheni Pancioha was unable to effectively consult the file or access an independent lawyer who could report and contest the abuses he faced,” notes "Promo-LEX."
The organization argues that, since the Tiraspol regime operates under Russian military occupation, claims of state interests or accusations of treason cannot provide a legitimate legal basis for detaining individuals.
"Promo-LEX" points to the case of Mozer v. the Republic of Moldova and Russia, in which the European Court of Human Rights established that no authority from the self-proclaimed TMR can lawfully order the arrest or detention of a person. Furthermore, the Court found no indication that a legal system in the region aligns with the legal traditions of the rest of the Republic of Moldova.
The organization urges the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Valeriu Chiveri, to directly request the immediate and unconditional release of Evgheni Pancioha from Tiraspol regime representatives. They also call for his transfer to a medical facility under the control of constitutional authorities, where he can receive appropriate medical treatment.
The Reintegration Policy Bureau stated that this case is being monitored, having reached out through political channels to request Pancioha's release from illegal detention.
"The same message was conveyed at the working meeting in the '1+1' format on February 26 of this year. Relevant international actors and the OSCE Mission to the Republic of Moldova have been informed about this case, with a plea for support in restoring the rights of citizen Pancioha. The law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Moldova are taking the necessary legal measures," the Bureau, led by Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Chiveri, told the "Teleradio-Moldova" company.
