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

euronews (in English)

When pro-European forces won in Moldova in November, their victory only passed by the slimmest of margins. A concerted Russian influence campaign was potentially behind it.

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00:00In the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria, time has stood still since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

00:08Since 1990, the region has been under Russian influence,

00:12and while not internationally recognized, has its own flag and capital, Tiraspol.

00:18Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, those who express ideas in opposition to Russia's narrative

00:23have often found themselves behind bars.

00:26Euronews spoke to Viktor Pleskanov, who hung a Ukrainian flag

00:30and posted freedom for Ukraine on his social media in 2022, landing him in prison.

00:51Pleskanov explained he tried to commit suicide in prison.

00:55International pressure and efforts by his wife led to his release earlier this year.

01:16Even though Pleskanov was released, many political prisoners remain in Tiraspol jails.

01:22This has become a major obstacle to Moldova's accession to the EU,

01:26especially for the recently re-elected pro-European president, Maja Sandu.

01:32Most young people in Moldova's capital align themselves with Europe and the West, but the margin is tiny.

01:39If Moldova joins the bloc, it would bring with it the pro-Russian separatists,

01:44something Brussels does not want.

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