In Moldova's path towards the EU, political prisoners in Transnistria face challenges

A new government has formed in Moldova. Re-elected in early November, the pro-European President Maia Sandu has replaced only the ministers in charge of Interior, Agriculture and Infrastructure.

Interior Minister Adrian Efros had earlier announced his resignation after it emerged that Moscow had used activists and hackers to interfere in the elections.

In the summer, Maia Sandu's lead looked confident and everyone expected a strong Yes vote in the EU accession referendum. In both cases, the margin of victory for the pro-Western forces was tiny.

Most young people in Moldova align themselves with Europe, but why then did 49% of the population vote against the EU? International observers say the answer lies in Russia and its annexed state, the breakaway Transnistrian republic.

Transnistria, a Soviet enclave

The border dividing Moldova into two parts is not recognised by the international community, yet it has stood for 34 years. The Transnistrian Republic has its own currency, number plates and, of course, flag. In the capital Tiraspol, time has stood still since the break-up of the Soviet Union. The monochrome of Lenin and Marx monuments is broken only by a statue of Harry Potter.

2,000 Russian soldiers stationed Transnistria ensure that things are done according to Moscow's wishes. That is why, in this part of Moldova, Russia's invasion of Ukraine can only be referred to as a defensive war or a special military operation. Those who express opposition to the war often find themselves behind bars.

Harsh conditions

This is what happened to Viktor Plescanov, the country's best-known political prisoner. In 2022, the 50-year-old engineer hung a Ukrainian flag on his terrace and posted "Freedom for Ukraine" on his social media, only to be confronted by the authorities shortly afterwards.

In September 2022, he was sentenced to three years and two months in prison without trial on terrorism charges.

"The conditions in prison were hellish. It was like the 19th century. This is not Europe," explained Viktor, who at one point gave up and attempted suicide. He also showed on his arm exactly where he had tried to slit his wrists.

Meanwhile, his wife, Oxana went from embassy to embassy recruiting supporters and telling Viktor Plescanov's story to the world.

Eventually, under pressure from the OSCE and the US Ambassador in Chisinau, the Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnozelsky pardoned Plescanov.

But dozens of political prisoners remain in Tiraspol jails. This could be a serious obstacle to Moldova's EU accession, because if Moldovans were to join the integration process, Russian and Ukrainian separatists would come with them, something Brussels would prefer to avoid.