Moldovan Police Deny Accusations of Blocking Anti-Gov’t Protesters

CHISINAU (Sputnik) — The Moldovan police ensure public order legally and do not prevent citizens from holding peaceful protests, a National Patrol Inspectorate spokeswoman said Sunday.

Earlier in the day, over 10,000 people gathered in the central square of the Moldovan capital demanding the government's resignation and early parliamentary and presidential elections. The protest organizers accused police of blocking a column of demonstrators, who were moving in the direction of the city center.

"The Interior Ministry denies the information and conveys to citizens that in the past few days it has taken enough measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the protest, including preventive measures, as well as measures to identify illegal actions," Diana Fetko told RIA Novosti.

​Earlier this week, Interior Minister Alexander Jizdan said that the police identified several people who were plotting to carry out provocations during the protest.

Chisinau has been swept in rallies since September 2015, when the coalition of opposition forces demanded the resignation of the Moldovan president, the prime minister and the chief prosecutor, as well as prompt action to tackle corruption.