Coalition 2009 denies co-organizing April 7 protest

The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections – Coalition 2009 categorically dismisses the Justice Ministry's accusations of allegedly being a co-organizer of the April 7 demonstration, Info-Prim Neo reports. It writes an open letter to the Justice Ministry, evincing its confusion and indignation at the Ministry's charges. In a letter sent to its Political Parties and Non-Governmental Organizations Division, the Ministry asks the NGOs to inform, within ten days, about their actions undertaken to prevent and curb the violence during the protests, in a capacity of an organizer. In this regard, Coalition 2009 officially informs it was neither the organizer, nor the co-organizer of the protests. The Coalition condemns the protesters' violence, but also the actions of the police. It encourages the exercise of the right to the freedom of assembly and peaceful public manifestations. Coalition 2009 considers that the Justice Ministry has been misinformed about the organizers of the April 7 protests. Coalition 2009 did not inform the Chisinau city hall before or after April 7 about having any intention to organize public assemblies or protests. “In our opinion, by such an interpellation on the part of the Justice Ministry, the authorities question the real, objective and impartial contribution of Coalition 2009 to the unfolding of the electoral campaign in Moldova. At the same time, we express our deep concern with the grave consequences that such moves may have in the future on the right to free expression and peaceful assembly in this country,” reads the open letter signed by seven NGOs from the Board of Coalition 2009. Coalition is a union of Moldovan NGOs pursuing to contribute to secure free, fair, transparent and democratic elections and continue such activities started by Coalitions 2005 and 2007. Coalition 2009 joins over 70 NGOs.