Moldovan protesters detained after 24 April mass riots remain under arrest

Chisinau, 16 May /MOLDPRES/ - The Court of Appeal today turned down an appeal on a decision by judges of the Chisinau Centru district court on issuance of a warrant of preventive arrest for 30 days against the protesters charged with organisation of mass riots during the 24 April rally.    

According to the spokeswoman for the Court of Appeal, Octeabrina Popa, the court took the decision to reject the lawyers’ appeal in case of all the three persons. “The court’s ruling is irrevocable,” Popa said.  

During the court session, the protesters’ lawyer, Ana Ursachi, demanded challenge of the panel of judges; yet, the notification was turned down.  

Also today, more people came outside the Court of Appeal to protest against the detention of the arrested people. “The rally was held peacefully, with no incidents,” Popa added.   

On 5 May 2016, law-enforcers detained four persons suspected of organisation of mass riots at the 24 April protest. Two of the detained persons have been earlier judged and convicted for offences of robbery and medium bodily harm.

The guilty people run the risk of being sentenced to up to 8 years of imprisonment.

A protest against the government and a decision by the Central Electoral Commission on turning down the initiative to organise a constitutional referendum took place in Chisinau on 24 April. The protesters adopted a resolution, demanding that the government immediately sets the date of snap elections, held concomitantly with the presidential polls and the constitutional referendum.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor A. Raileanu)