Ex-minister of home affairs Alexandru Jizdan, Democratic MP, said the Republic of Moldova should renounce the tradition of bringing a large number of police officers to protests to maintain public order as this can lead to mass violence. Moreover, when the protesters touch the cordon, the police have the right to take special measures. Because the farmers advanced with their tractors towards the police officers, they would have used firearms in other states, IPN reports. 

According to Alexandru Jizdan, the bringing of a large number of police officers to protests is typical of ex-Soviet states and such a step should be explained to the citizens. The official made reference to the European protocols providing that an excessive number of police officers must not be dispatched to peaceful demonstrations.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs has always had problems with communication, with being sincere towards the people in our country. When the police force is employed and the people consider this is excessive, one should come before the people and explain why so many people were brought,” Alexandru Jizdan stated in the program “Fourth Power” on N4 TV channel.

As to farmers’ protests, the MP said the police officers were dispatched in a large number so as not to take other measures. When a police cordon is forced, this is considered public disorder and is an offense and the police have the right to use special means. A wall from many police officers is formed so as not to use special means.

In France and elsewhere, they bring 100 well-trained police officers who know what to do and who are good psychologists. In the European states, no one can touch the police officers, while those who are brought to protests have a different level of training.

“In our country, they can take off the helmets of police officers, can hit and take away their epaulets. This is unacceptable,” stated Alexandru Jizdan, noting the police officers are also humans and the red lines should not be crossed.