Several dozen activists in the evening of February 19 lit candles near the Triumphal Arch in the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau in memory of those who lost their lives in the violent protests in Kiev, IPN reports.

Event organizer Marian Cepoi said they want to show support to the Ukrainian people and to condemn the crimes committed in Kiev. “The violent clashes that claimed over 20 lives go on and more protests have been scheduled. We want to sensitize the international organizations so that they stop the massacre in Ukraine,” he stated.

Participant Eduard Mihalas said that every Moldovan should make common cause with the Ukrainian people as Moldova went through similar events five years ago. “It is important that the protests be peaceful and the human rights be observed, regardless of who uses violence – the police or the protesters. Every protest must promote democracy, not violence,” he said.

The activists also said that the Ukrainian scenario may repeat in Moldova. They warned the Moldovan authorities to be cautious to the possible challenges this year, which can lead to violent events before the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU.

New clashes between protesters and the police in Ukraine erupted on February 18. The protesters threw cobblestones at the police, while the policemen used rubber bullets and teargas.

The Ukrainian opposition demands that President Viktor Yanukovych should call early presidential and parliamentary elections and that the Constitution of 2004 be restored.