Maxim Belinsky of the Moldovan Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (MHC), Consultant to the “Monitoring and Promotion of Human Rights in Transnistria” Project, was assaulted while in the Transnistria territory this week.

Belinsky told a news conference in Infotag today that in the morning of March 14 he was detained in Tiraspol by officers of the Transnistrian ministry of state security.

“I was going to be present, as an observer, at the hearing of the administrative court trial of Alla Minina. The Transnistrian authorities have regarded her actions – organization of a meeting of protest against the recent raising of utility tariffs – as illicit. Near the courthouse, three unknown men in black masks halted me, said they were security officers, forced into a car, and threatened they would bruise me if I dare resist”, Belinsky said.

Then they brought him to a deserted place on the Dniester River bank, tied up his hands, pointed a gun in his face, and began asking questions.

“After that, they warned me against showing up in Transnistria any more, and rushed away. I managed to get untied by myself, and eventually contacted the Moldovan police commissar of Bendery city, and later the Helsinki Committee”, he said.

Chairman of the Moldovan Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Stefan Uritu said the attack against the organization activist was Tiraspol’s response to the MHC news conference held on March 13, at which the separatist Transnistrian regime was subjected to a strong criticism.

The Moldovan Helsinki Committee reported the incident to local authorities and international organizations.