New court to hear case of Moldovan political prisoners Nov. 24

 On Tuesday, November 24, the Centru Court in Chisinau will begin its consideration of the merits of the case against the political prisoners led by Grigory Petrenko, former deputy and honorary member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). 

The hearing will begin at 11.00 in the Centru Court (Stefan cel Mare Boulevard, 73). Magistrates of Centru sector will deal with the case of the political prisoners after a November 12 transfer request passed it there from the Riscani sector court.

Recall that the lawyers for the political prisoners demanded to transfer the case from the Riscani court, headed by Oleg Melnychuk, a known associate of oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc.

Several members and activists of the opposition party Red Bloc, headed by Grigory Petrenko, have been under arrest since September 6 following a peaceful protest in front of the Prosecutor General’s Office against the oligarchic regime.

The detention and arrest of the protesters sparked criticism from international organizations, European institutions, and politicians in several countries, who demanded their immediate release from custody.

Within the framework of the PACE autumn session, 32 deputies from all factions, representing 20 countries, signed a written declaration on the “Petrenko case,” in which they “clearly demand from Moldova the immediate release of all political prisoners.”

Thus, according to lawyers, PACE recognized Grigory Petrenko and his comrades as “political prisoners” and oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc as “threat to democracy.”

Moreover, on the initiative of the European United Left / Left-Green North (GUE/NGL), the European Parliament will consider a request for the immediate release of the Petrenko Group political prisoners at the next meeting of European deputies.