Even if Parliament banned by law the wearing of the ribbon of Saint George following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a number of Socialist and Communist MPs and also ordinary citizens wore the ribbon during the Victory March staged in Chisinau by the National Coordination Committee “Pobeda” (“Victory”) on May 9, IPN reports.
Igor Dodon, ex-President of the Republic of Moldova, said that he came to take part in the march because “we are the followers of those who won World War II”. Wearing the ribbon of St. George, he said that the law that bans the wearing of the ribbon is anti-constitutional and will be annulled. Dodon said he will go to court to challenge this law and, if the national courts do not rule in his favor, he will go to the European Court of Human Rights.
Igor Dodon also said that the developments in Ukraine are regrettable as “the Ukrainians are our brothers, but the Russians are also our friends and are strategic partners.”
Vladimir Voronin, the president of the Party of Communists, said that he was wearing the ribbon of Saint George because this represents a big victory over fascism, but also in memory of the 27 million Soviet people who died in World War II. He noted that this symbol was also worn by his father.
Socialist MP Vlad Batrâncea stated that he was wearing the ribbon of Saint George because this is a symbol of victory. Communist MP Constantin Starâș, who also put the ribbon at his chest, said that he will pay the fine for wearing this symbol.
Some of the young people wore black and orange clothes. Others said that they came to take part in the march because their grandparents fought in World War II.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moldova’s Parliament adopted a law by which the making, promotion and spreading on Moldova’s territory of the ribbon of Saint George and letters “Z” and “V”, which are the distinctive signs of the Russian army in the war against Ukraine, were banned.
The private individuals who will not comply with the given legislation will be fined 4,500 to 9,000 lei or 30/60 hours of community service. The persons holding responsible posts face a fine of 9,000 to 18,000 lei, while the legal entities – of 18,000 to 30,000 lei.
