VIDEO | Shootings in Căpriana: Environmental Guard officer beaten with rifle butt; suspect identified
There was a serious incident in Căpriana, located in the Strașeni district. On the evening of December 15, a member of the National Environmental Guard was reportedly struck with the butt of a gun during a control mission. Additionally, a bullet was fired into the team's vehicle. Law enforcement officials have announced that they have identified a suspect in the case. Representatives from the Căpriana forestry district assert that their employees were not involved in this incident.
“We have registered the case and identified a suspect. The police are taking action to establish all circumstances and apply the legal measures provided by law,” stated Mariana Bețivu from the General Inspectorate of Police in an interview with Teleradio-Moldova.
The incident occurred when a team from the National Environmental Guard (GNM) was investigating reports of possible illegal tree cutting. During their inspection, several stumps were found removed from the ground and stored, suggesting preparations for the illegal transportation of wood.
While one team member returned to the vehicle to retrieve a drone, an individual emerged from the forest and allegedly fired a shot into the air. He confronted the team member, demanding to know what they were doing in the area.
According to a live video broadcast on the GNM's Facebook page, the police arrived at the scene to investigate the incident.
“Today we discovered the stumps and the evidence. The perpetrators, out of spite, attacked us. There’s potential for murder here in Moldova! We are dealing with foresters and the forest mafia. This is the forest mafia,” declared the man who recorded the incident.
Foresters from Căpriana were not involved in the incident
Representatives from the Căpriana forestry district informed Teleradio-Moldova that they are not well-informed about the events that happened yesterday evening, as no employees from their team were involved in the incident.
Forestry foreman Gheorghe Proca, along with several colleagues, attempted to investigate signs of an attempted illegal logging operation in the Căpriana forestry district today around noon.
"Yesterday, there was an attempted illegal logging, and we are trying to determine where it occurred. They noticed a drone and fled the scene," Proca stated. He is currently serving as the interim head of the forestry district, replacing Vasile Cioară, who is on leave.
Proca emphasized that the shots fired did not come from the foresters, asserting that "we do not have aggressive individuals in our team." He also dismissed claims that Căpriana foresters are engaged in illegal logging activities.
