More than 1,000 protest against trial of Petrenko Group political prisoners
February 15: Representatives and supporters of Our Party and the DA Platform gathered outside the Riscani District Court in Chisinau, during the latest court hearing in the case of the Petrenko group political prisoners.
 |
| ‘Free Petrenko Group’ protest in Chisinau, Moldova, Feb. 15. Photo: Alexandr V. Gutovski |
The main demand of the protesters is the immediate release of the Petrenko Group political prisoners.
The police strengthened their presence with representatives of special units, which were placed on high alert to the courtyard.
According to Our Party leader Renato Usatii, “We are not going to leave today without Petrenko’s release by judicial decision.”
“Do not let a single car through! Enough fear of these scoundrels! The courthouse is surrounded until Petrenko is freed. And we’ll sleep at the NOBIL Hotel [owned by oligarch and political kingmaker Vlad Plahotniuc],” added Usatii.
One of the leaders of the DA Platform, Vasile Nastase said that he, as a deputy, voted for the Declaration of Independence, but did not vote for people to be tried for their political views. Nastase also said that by holding the Petrenko Group under illegal arrest, the regime controlled by Plahotniuc spat on the resolution of the Civic Forum demanding the immediate release of political prisoners.
A group of 15 representatives of the protesters headed for the courtroom. At the same time, the number of protesters outside the court continues to increase.
 |
| Courthouse surrounded by protesters in Chisinau, Feb. 15. Photo: Alexandr V. Gutovski |
Red Star News + Translations 