Valeriu Boboc, the young man who died after the April 7, 2009 events, was given the Order of the Republic posthumously under a decree issued by Acting President Mihai Ghimpu. The announcement was made at a commemorative meeting held in the Great National Assembly Square in Chisinau on April 7, Info-Prim Neo reports. Mihai Ghimpu said the order was awarded in gratitude for the courage manifested by the Moldovan young people when defending and promoting the democratic values and for Valeriu Boboc's sacrifice in the name of freedom and truth. “The use of force by the police against the young people is a national shame because those who had to defend the public order and the law killed a young man,” Mihai Ghimpu said. The event held in the square in front of the Parliament Building was attended by the family of Valeriu Boboc. His father Victor Boboc expressed his regret at the fact that police officers say his son was a criminal and a thieve. “My son wasn't like that. Valeriu was probably chosen then because he was a too peaceful protester. I'm sure those who are to blame for his death will be held accountable. I hope the parties that came to power after the April 2009 events will bring Moldova closer to Europe and we will have a better life,” Victor Boboc said. Valeriu Boboc was found dead after the protests. The first official version was that the 23-year-old man got poisoned with an unidentified substance. His family and the civil society demanded that the body be exhumed. The new medical examination carried out by a foreign expert showed he died as a result of the head injuries he received. On April 6, Ion Perju, an employee of the General Police Commissariat, was arrested on suspicion he murdered Valeriu Boboc. According to Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca, at least 5-7 police officers are to blame for Valeriu Boboc's death, including Ghenadie Florea and Ruslan Saachian. The others are yet to be identified.