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European court orders Russia to pay damages for Moldovan's death

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 21 April 2015
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, European court orders Russia to pay damages for Moldovan's death, 21 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba222d.html [accessed 22 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

April 21, 2015

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service

Europe's top human rights court has ordered Russia to pay damages for the fatal shooting of a Moldovan teenager in 2012 by a Russian soldier.

Vadim Pisari, 18, was killed by a Russian soldier on January 1, 2012 as he was driving across a bridge in a part of Moldova where Russian, Moldovan, and Transdniester security forces were stationed.

Pisari failed to slow for a checkpoint and crashed through a barrier.

A Russian soldier responded by first firing in the air, and then directly at Pisari's car.

But the European Court for Human Rights ruled on April 21 that the soldier's "decision to shoot at the passing vehicle" was not justified.

It ordered Russia to pay 25,000 euros ($27,000) damages and about 5,500 euros ($5,900) in legal costs to Pisari's family.

Moldovan Justice Minister Vladimir Grosu said the ruling shows there should be no foreign armed forces in the pro-Russian region of Transdniester.

Transdniester declared independence from Moldova in 1990 but its self-declared statehood is not recognized by the international community.

With reporting by AP

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

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