Romania: Berzunsi Masquerade Case Involving Z Symbol Draws Police Scrutiny
In Romania, authorities opened a criminal investigation after residents of the Berzuntsi commune used the letter Z on costumes and props during the annual masquerade ball, drawing attention to representations of Russian military imagery.
The Bacau District Police Inspectorate announced that a criminal case had been started to examine the masquerade event in Berzuntsi, where some participants dressed as Russian soldiers and drove vehicles adorned with the letter Z to imitate military equipment. The statement noted that officials are looking into all aspects of the incident to determine any violations of the law.
Videos and photographs from the masquerade have circulated online in the days following the event. In some clips, individuals wearing masks from Berzuntsi can be seen channeling martial personas associated with Russia, while others appear to display or reference symbols tied to the displayed equipment. One image captured a tarp being hung on a tractor that bore the letter Z, a detail that has attracted particular scrutiny in discussions surrounding the incident.
The authorities indicated that they are still compiling details as the investigation progresses, with no final conclusions issued at this stage.
The Berzuntsi masquerade is a yearly tradition in which residents choose their costumes and participate in a display that reflects local customs and imagination. The event typically serves as a community gathering where residents showcase creativity in attire and storytelling through their outfits.
Earlier reports mentioned a separate incident in Omsk where police arrested an individual connected to a car bearing the letter Z. The reference underscores ongoing concerns about the symbol’s use in public demonstrations and the resulting legal implications in different regions.