The reason behind the arrests of March 27 is the ruling party’s Romania phobia - LP leader

The real reason behind the arrests of several members and supporters of the Liberal Party (LP) made by police on March 27 is the Romania-phobia that the communist government suffers from, and not the alleged public order violations, LP president Mihai Ghimpu told today a press conference. Ghimpu said that the Centru District Court completed the examination of the cases of 14 detained persons, 9 of whom were fined 200 lei each. He personally was given a 600 lei fine. In this respect, LP leader mentioned that the judgments ordering the fining of 6 persons were revoked by the Court of Appeals and returned to the lower court. Ghimpu affirmed that no violations were committed on March 27 and in case the domestic courts will not rule in favour of those detained, they are determined to appeal in the European Court of Human Rights. LP leader also said that the abuses to which the party members were subjected on March 27 show the absolute obedience to the communist government of a number of representatives of judicial bodies and the fact that judicial independence is nothing more than a constitutional provision in Moldova. On March 27, while a group of party members and supporters were heading for the Central Cemetery located on Armeneasca Street to lay flowers at the graves of the National Assembly members on the occasion of the 89th anniversary of the unification of Romania with Basarabia, the police bodies interfered and pushed them by force into police cars. 15 persons were later transported to the Centru District Police Office. After a 5 hour detainment, they were transported to the Centru District Court, being charged with disturbing public order. The crew of PRO TV Chisinau was also arrested in the street, while shooting the march of the Liberal Party. Later, the reporting crew of DTV was arrested directly in the headquarters of the Centru District Police Office. Representatives of a number of political parties and civil society criticised the actions by police.