The mother of Ernest Vardanyan called on the leaders of world powers to aid in liberation of the journalist

PanARMENIAN.Net - Tamara Shagoyan, the mother of Transdniestrian journalist Ernest Vardanyan, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, called on the leaders of world powers, as well as international organisations to aid in liberation of the journalist.

Ms. Shagoyan also addressed Transdniestria president urging him for assistance.

Transdniestrian journalist of Armenian descent, Ernest Vardanyan who was arrested on April 7, admitted in a video address broadcast by the Transdniestrian television that the Moldovan Information and Security Service (ISS) recruited him as a spy.

Vardanyan said that he started cooperating with the Moldovan ISS in 2001, while he was a student of Chisinau University. According to him, ISS representatives hinted that his refusal may effect Vardanyan’s and his wife’s further education.

Vardanyan added that he gave a written consent to cooperation with the ISS also after completion of his education, working as a journalist in Transdniestria and collecting information on the domestic situation of the republic, including through his meetings with officials. He said he became a successful candidate for employment in the UN secretariat in 2009. Thus, he was going to terminate his cooperation with the Moldovan ISS. However, in his recorded address, Vardanyan claimed that he was pressured by the Moldovan operatives to work for them and against Russian interests at the UN. “My activity's revelation was predetermined basically due to irresponsible actions of the ISS,” the journalist said. Vardanyan added that he is a victim of circumstances and not Transdniestria’s enemy.

Later, the supreme court of Transdniestria has sentenced Vardanyan to 15 years in prison on accusation of spying for Moldova. Vardanyan was arrested in April 2010 and accused of treason. Moldovan authorities gave no reaction to the court verdict.