Ernest Vardanyan's health in sharply decline: mother sends another letter to international community

The mother of an outstanding Transnistrian-Armenian journalist Ernest Vardanyan, currently arrested over treason charges, has one more time sent a letter to international community asking to back her in restoring justice pertaining to the arrest of Vardanyan and his immediate release from detention.

Tamara Shaghoyan has addressed her letter to the presidents of different countries, as well as to international human rights organizations, news media outlets and diplomatic structure, drawing attention to a sharp decline in her son's health.

"Ernest refused to see us any more during the July 23 visit [to prison], saying that he is depressed and cannot see his children in that state. During the visit Ernest was coughing heavily, he had high fever, numerous spots of bug stings on his skin, a strangely long scar on his neck reminding a wound caused by a knife. All this attests to the fact that Ernest does not get necessary medical help," reads the letter.

Further she mentions that Ernest's physical and mental state have sharply declined now after four months detention. The reason, according to Mrs. Shaghoyan, is the threats he receives and the psychotropic drugs he is injected, as well as the forced self-confession under pressure.

"I want to inform you that his latest interrogation took places half a month ago. This proves that Ernest Vardanyan is being kept in prison on baseless charges and the charges are groundless. Depriving Ernest of freedom is just part of the chain of a political game in which Ernest has not had any participation," says the letter.

Tamara Shaghoyan, the mother of the Armenian-national journalist Ernest Vardanyan working in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria, has sent a letter to the leader of G8 states, asking to take steps for his release.

Earlier Mrs. Tamara Shaghoyan had sent a letter to the leaders of G8 countries.

Ernest Vardanyan was arrested near his home in Tiraspol on April 7. He is accused of high treason and according to Article 271 of the Transnistrian Criminal Code he may face 12-20 years in prison if found guilty.