By CHISINAU. May 10 (Interfax) – A total of 180 persons breached the ban on military symbols on May 9, the Moldovan General Police Inspectorate said.
“There were events in 500 populated localities on May 9 with a total turnout of 43,000,” the Inspectorate said.
According to the police, 180 persons breached the ban on military symbols, including St. George ribbons, during demonstrations.
“The violations were committed by officials in 16 cases, including by nine parliament members and five officials from the Gagauz Autonomous Region. The police drew up 15 motions, served nine summons and received explanations from seven persons,” it said.
Members of the Moldovan leadership and Chisinau administration laid flowers at the Eternity memorial early on Tuesday morning. The Immortal Regiment procession marched through Chisinau later in the day. People were carrying portraits of family members who died in WWII, victory banners, Moldovan flags, flags in St. George ribbon colors, posters, which read “Our Fatherland is the USSR,” and a banner depicting Joseph Stalin.
Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon, who led the procession of the Party of Socialists, said that “the wearing of the St. George ribbon was not banned, according to a ruling of the Constitutional Court.”
“We will open a hotline tomorrow, so that people could report penalties for wearing the St. George ribbon. Our lawyers will help cancel any fines in court,” Dodon said.
