The police on May 5 carried out searches at the homes of four of the participants in the April 24 protest organized by the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth”. Contacted by IPN, press officer of the General Police Inspectorate Tamara Procopii said the four persons are suspected of causing public disorder on the day of the protest.

Three of the searches were performed in Chisinau, while one in Orhei. The suspects are aged between 24 and 50. Two of them have a criminal record and were convicted of thefts and maltreatment. “The given persons acted illegally during the April 24 protest. They were aggressive and violent then,” stated Tamara Procopii.

A decision is yet to be taken as to the form of investigation of the four suspects – in remand or outside jail. If they are found guilty, they will serve up to eight years in jail.

On April 24, the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth” mounted an antigovernment protest in the central square of Chisinau. The demonstrators surrounded the Government Building and then went to protest on Bulgara St, where the first deputy chairman of the Democratic Party Vlad Plahotniuc is said to be living. Afterward, the protesters went to the Global Business Center that reportedly belongs to Vlad Plahotniuc. Altercations between the protesters and the police occurred during the protest. The first threw eggs and stones, while the police used teargas. A young man was arrested on suspicion of active participation in the public disorder and of injury to a police officer. He was placed under arrest for 20 days. According to the General Police Inspectorate, over 40 policemen were hurt during those events.