Ilan Șor's illegal protest draws dozens despite warnings
Dozens of citizens in Moldova ignored official warnings against participating in illegal protests, which risk fines.
They gathered at the railway station on Saturday, August 16, following a call from convicted felon Ilan Șor, who urged them to protest "nonstop" against the government.
Among the protesters, most of whom were elderly, were Alexei Lungu, leader of the "Șansă" Party, which was banned from this autumn's parliamentary elections, and Vadim Fotescu, a MP from the former "Șor" Party.
Law enforcement informed those gathered outside the station that they were participating in an illegal protest and asked them to "leave the area."
Viorel Cernăuțeanu: Participants in paid protests risk daily fines of 7,500 lei, or over 10,000 dollars a month.
"This action is illegal, please leave the area. Otherwise, we'll be forced to apply physical force and special measures, as per the law," a carabineer announced through a megaphone.
"Show us where we are allowed to be, according to the City Hall's decision," demanded Alexei Lungu, while protesters chanted, "We are the people!"
The protesters carried signs with anti-government messages and in support of Governor Evghenia Guțul, who was sentenced to seven years in prison by a lower court in the case of illegal financing of the "Șor" Party, which has been banned in Moldova since 2023.
It's worth noting that Viorel Cernăuțeanu, head of the General Police Inspectorate, announced that the protest organizers aim to destabilize the situation in Moldova ahead of the parliamentary elections.
According to Cernăuțeanu, the action is illegal, and participants risk fines of 7,500 lei per day.
This morning, several activists from the "Victoria" Bloc, launched by convicted felon Ilan Șor on July 6 in Moscow, were detained after they tried to set up tents directly on the railway station platform.
Initially, the Șor group intended to organize paid protests in the Great National Assembly Square, but the government had priority and is holding an exhibition there on Saturday as part of Diaspora Days.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
