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U.S. Agency for International Development
Ronald Reagan Building
Washington, D.C. 20523-1000


April 14, 2010

Dear Sir/Madame,

We write you as a collective group of U.S. citizens who are very concerned regarding the arrest of Mr. Ernest Vardanyan by the Transdniestrian security agency. Mr. Vardanyan is a 33 year old independent journalist/political analyst accused of treason, according to Article 271 of the Criminal Code of Transdniestria. The arrest occurred on April 7th, and he remains detained following a closed court proceeding by the Tiraspol City Court.

These false and unfounded allegations have placed Mr. Vardanyan at risk to being subject to unjust punishment for a crime he did not commit. He is merely an independent observer/reporter with no government ties, and is being oppressed by a communist regime spiting him for exercising his right to free speech.

We beseech that your organization does not remain indifferent to the injustice Ernest Vardanyan faces, and that his humanitarian rights are preserved. His arrest leaves his wife and two young children, aged 5 years and 9 months respectively, without support.

As we are aware, the USAID is preparing a project of technical support to aid small businesses in Transdniestria. We urge you to freeze this program pending his release. We are disturbed at the thought of our tax money being spent to support such an anti-humanitarian regime, and implore you to act in defense of such intolerance. We hope that our voice will reach serious consideration, and our campaign will continue until he is set free.

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