Members of the National Council of War Veterans warn that they will block the road between the villages Sănătăuca and Hagimus on the Transnistrian segment, with the forces of war veterans and with the massive participation of civil society, if the checkpoints set up by the de facto authorities of the Transnistrian region are not removed during 48 hours.

In a news conference at IPN, veteran Anatol Macovei said those checkpoints hamper the free movement of the people living on the banks of the Nistru. The developments are determined by two mafia clans and the citizens are used to vote in exchange for financial rewards. Even if the citizens cannot travel freely owing to the checkpoints placed by the separatist regime, the smuggling schemes in the region continue to be implemented with the tacit agreement with the so-called authorities. Meanwhile, the Reintegration Bureau in Chisinau has done nothing.

In a statement that was read by veteran Victor Ciobanu, the veterans criticize the Government for doing nothing for the country. The Council will continue to promote the demands formulated in the General Assembly of Veterans, such as the provision of a monthly allowance of 3,000 lei and free health insurance policy, reduction of the retirement age to 55 years, offering of tickets to sanatorium once a year or of the equivalent value in money, introduction of a history course on the proclaiming of the Republic of Moldova’s independence and other events in the school curriculum, provision of free medicines to them and members of their families and of free dwellings, covering of funeral-related costs and military honors in case of death.

“Our honor and dignity are encroached upon. The memory of the comrades killed on the battlefield is impudently disparaged by political, economic and even territorial concessions to the separatist Transnistrian regime where there are Russia’s interests behind,” stated Victor Ciobanu. According to him, the head of Dubăsari district Grigore Filipov conceded those villages of Dubăsari where the separatists set up checkpoints illegally, prejudicing the constitutional interests of the citizens living in those localities and Moldova’s interests on the whole.”

By the same statement, the veterans noted that Igor Dodon is a traitor who serves the interests of Russia, which promotes separatism and aims to federalize and later liquidate the Republic of Moldova.

The veterans said they will picket the Dubăsari District Council and will demand that Grigore Filipov should resign. They request the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate the acts  of high treason of Grigore Filipov.

The veterans called on the embassies and NGOs to become involved and support them. They said they do not want to generate a conflict, but will defend the Republic of Moldova if the Government does not do this. They also requested that the Government should resign as it cannot fulfill its responsibilities.