President Igor Dodon's allegation that the Museum of Soviet Occupation must be closed is a crime against the people. At a press conference held at IPN, members of several organizations and political parties initiated a public appeal against the plan announced by Igor Dodon.
"We are addressing Maia Sandu to prohibit the defense minister, her subordinate, from closing down the Soviet Occupation Museum. We address the officers close to Igor Dodon, especially Victor Gaiciuk, who is a doctor in history, with the request to convince Dodon to cancel his order to close the museum, " said Anatol Petrencu, chairman of " ProMemoria " INIS organization. According to him, the museum is a place of recollection for the thousands of people who suffered from the Soviet occupation.
Valentina Sturza, head of the Association of former deportees and political prisoners, has specified that, by the intention of closing the Museum of Soviet occupation, Igor Dodon wants to erase the traces of the unjust suffering inflicted on the Bessarabians. "Our association strongly criticizes Mr. Dodon's decision and I hope that our outrage will make the president think twice, including about children and grandchildren, who must know what Soviet torture meant for Bessarabia," said Valentina Sturza.
The chairman of the Democracy at Home Party, Vasile Costiuc, has mentioned that the closure of the museum is part of a clear policy of denationalizing Romanians in Bessarabia. "even the term of Soviet occupation arouses their dissatisfaction. They do not want to accept that we have been occupied by the Soviets,” stated the PDA chairman.
Vasile Costiuc urged other parties and organizations, as well as individuals, regardless of political option, to adhere to the public appeal against the closure of the museum and to sign the protest declaration. "If necessary, we will defend the museum by force," contended Vasile Costiuc.
The intention to close the Soviet Occupation Museum was described as a high national betrayal by Anatol Caraman, chairman of the 1992 Tiras-Tighina War Veterans Association. "How can you go against what pertains to this state, the Republic of Moldova?", argued Anatol Caraman.