Happy birthday to Moldovan political prisoner Grigory Petrenko: Free him now!

The political party “Our Home is Moldova” (Red Bloc) congratulates chairman Grigory Petrenko on his birthday and wishes him patience, health, and persistence in continuing the campaign for the complete eradication of thieves in the regime of the Republic of Moldova!

The oligarchic mob, led by the Democratic Party and personally by Vlad Plahotniuc, never ceases to obstruct the Moldovan people. Political repression, anti-social policy, economic collapse – are just a small part of what this government will be remembered for.

Activists of the party “Our Home is Moldova” (Red Bloc) hope for the early release of Grigory Petrenko from prison!

The struggle continues in spite of intimidation and harassment!

THE REGIME MUST CHANGE!
Jos oligarhii! Jos Plahotniuc! [Down with oligarchy! Down with Plahotniuc!]

Our Home is Moldova (Red Bloc)
January 17, 2016

Happy birthday to comrade Grigory Petrenko, political prisoner and leader of the Red Bloc – Our Home is Moldova.

Petrenko was a well-respected parliamentary leader of the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova who was expelled from the party for upholding Marxist principles and opposing the party’s unprincipled alliance with oligarch parties. Last winter, Petrenko joined with other left communists and anti-fascist youth to found the Red Bloc. Petrenko and his comrades led nationwide protests that pushed back neoliberal utility rate hikes and helped to create a left-wing pole of protest that prevented a Maidan-style development in Chisinau.

This father of two young children will spend his 36th birthday in prison under “preventive detention,” for daring to lead protests against the right-wing oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc.

Petrenko and six of his comrades have spent the last four and a half months as political prisoners of the Western-backed oligarchic regime in Moldova. It is urgent for anti-fascists and other progressive forces in the United States to join the growing chorus in Western Europe and the former Soviet Union demanding their immediate, unconditional release!

Today, as a new upsurge of protest begins against the oligarch regime in Moldova, it is more urgent than ever that Petrenko and other communist leaders be freed so they can return to the front lines of struggle.

‪#‎FreePetrenko‬ and the Red Bloc prisoners NOW!