Judge Sergiu Lazari shoos journalists from trial of former Chisinau police chief

Judge Sergiu Lazari of the Buiucani District Court shooed away reporters when they tried to enter today the court hall where Iacob Gumenita, the former Chisinau police chief, was being tried, Info-Prim Neo reports. Several minutes later, an ambulance was called in to the court. The paramedics, who entered the judge's office, refused to give details but said that everyone was fine. Asked by reporters to comment, Oleg Sternioala, the head of the court, confirmed the trial was public and the press was free to assist, but on certain conditions. “In the event the hall where the trial is conducted is too small, then the press should leave it”, said Judge Sternioala. Among the witnesses that came to the trial session was Damian Hancu, a young man who witnessed the events that unfolded in the Great National Assembly Square in the early hours of April 8, 2009, when Valeriu Boboc was killed. Solicited to comment, Justice Minister Alexandru Tanase said he would hold a press briefing after he examined what happened today at the Buiucani Court. Iacob Gumenita was arrested on April 15 on charges of abuse of authority during the violent protests last April. The former Chisinau police chief was reportedly identified as being among the police officers that administered blows and kicks to protesters, which lead to the death of a young man, Valeriu Boboc.