The organizers of the April 24 protest – members of the Platform “Dignity and Truth” – presume that one of the four protesters who were arrested for causing public disorder is an instigator infiltrated possibly by the police. In a news conference on May 11, members of the Platform said the name of this person wasn’t communicated to the protest organizers. Within the conference, several dozen participants in the 1992 independence war demanded that the protesters should be set free unconditionally. These include a participant in that war, IPN reports.
The Nistru war veterans asked that the three protesters should be released and expressed their regret at the actions of the Ministry of the Interior and the Government in relation to the peaceful protesters. One of those arrested is former combatant Alexandru Panuta, who was arrested by the police in a unkind way, without a preliminary citation.
The head of the National Union of Independence War Veterans of Chisinau Mihai Tomacinschi said measures should be taken to protecst the rights and set free their comrade Alexandru Panuta.
The arrested protester’s wife Tatiana Panuta said that she will use all the democratic and diplomatic ways possible to obtain the release of her husband. She noted she is not allowed to transmit provisions to her husband.
One of the Platform’s leaders Chiril Motpan said that all the legal actions should be taken to obtain the release of the three protesters. “No matter whether they are guilty or not, the authorities need scapegoats and will use those who are closer to them now. These young people who are now in detention are separated from the general context,” she stated. According to him, only three of the four arrested protesters are known and they assume that the fourth is an instigator. This was seen throwing stones during the protest.
The four persons were arrested on May 5 on suspicion of causing public disorder during the April 24 protest. Last weekend, the court ordered that these should be held on remand for 30 days.
