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UES economic advisor detained in Moldova goes on hunger strike

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CHISINAU, December 9 (RIA Novosti) - Former Moldovan defense minister and economic advisor to the head of Unified Energy System Valery Pasat, who was arrested in Moldova in March, went on a hunger strike Friday.

Pasat's lawyer, Georgy Amikhalakioaye, said his defendant was protesting the dragging out of his trial and the postponement of hearings until December 12.

"Hearings have repeatedly been postponed on the prosecutors' initiative, therefore, my defendant regards these actions as a deliberate dragging out of his trial," the lawyer said.

Pasat was arrested at the Chisinau airport March 11. He is being accused of abuse of power, which has serious consequences.

The prosecution said Pasat closed a deal to sell MiG-29 aircraft in 1997, which inflicted $53 million in damages on the state.

Prosecutors say Pasat also concluded a deal to sell Uragan salvo-launching systems through a foreign firm at cut-rate prices, resulting in losses of $1.8 million for the state.

Pasat maintains that the case against him is "a political reprisal on the part of Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin."

The Moldovan Prosecutor General's Office denies any political motives in the case.

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