Security Zone protesters call for expelling Russian ambassador

Protesters from the villages located in the so-called Security Zone along the Nistru River today staged a rally at the peacekeeping post near Vadul lui Voda, where a young man was shot dead by peacekeepers two days ago, demanding the expulsion of Russia's Ambassador Valeri Kuzmin. Andrei Agate, representative of the Union of Independence War Veterans, told Info-Prim Neo that the protesters wanted the ambassador banished for his “false statements” about the fact that the killed man was drunk and was driving a stolen car. Another demand by the protesters, which was included in a resolution adopted at the rally, was that the Russian peacekeeper that shot at the young man be investigated by Moldovan and not Russian authorities. They also reiterated the demand that all the peacekeeping posts be disbanded within a week. The resolution, which was adopted unanimously, will be sent to Parliament, the Government, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Joint Control Commission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Russian Embassy in Chisinau. The protest will be resumed Wednesday at 10:00 AM. About 700 people from the Security Zone villages of Pirita, Cosnita, Dorotcaia and Pohrebea participated in the Tuesday rally.