On the Murder of Political Activist Oleg Horjan in the Transnistrian Region of the Republic of Moldova
As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Katherine Brucker
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
July 27, 2023
The United States is deeply disturbed by reports of the death of political activist and former political prisoner Oleg Horjan just seven months after his release from unjust detention by the de facto authorities in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. We were horrified to learn that Mr. Horjan’s death apparently was the result of being stabbed multiple times. His body was found in his home next to an empty safe just ten days ago.
We have spoken out numerous times in this forum about Mr. Horjan’s unjust detention for voicing opposition to the de facto authorities in Transnistria. The United States calls for an immediate, impartial investigation into Mr. Horjan’s murder. Perpetrators must be held to account. Further, we call on de facto authorities in Transnistria to release Viktor Pleshkanov, Mihail Ermurachi, and all others they unjustly detain for exercising human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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