On Sunday, March 12, in the center of Chisinau, clashes occurred between police and opposition demonstrators.
During live coverage, law enforcement officers blocked access to the city’s main square and formed a police cordon. Some protesters attempted to breach the barrier and move toward central streets.
In the crowd, protesters chanted slogans such as “Down with the dictatorship” and “Down with Maia Sandu.”
Eventually, a group of demonstrators began pushing through the police line and proceeded toward the central square and government buildings. According to DEA News, Marina Tauber, deputy chair of the Shor party, was visible in the foreground.
Authorities reported more than 50 arrests, including over 20 underage individuals, in Chisinau. Law enforcement also alleged that four bombs were planted in the capital, a claim being investigated by officials.
led by a Russian person
Earlier statements attributed to Moldovan officials suggested involvement by Russian services in planning destabilizing actions during the protests. Viorel Cernautsanu, the head of the Moldovan Police, spoke about efforts to destabilize the situation during mass demonstrations by the opposition.
Officials cited operational data indicating that Russian federation special services were allegedly preparing actions aimed at disrupting public order during protests, including the one occurring today, according to Cernautsanu.
He claimed that ten groups of five to ten people had been formed in Moldova and were undergoing special training, with coordination said to be directed from Russia. About 25 people were taken into custody for questioning, and seven remained detained as investigations continued.
The action will be peaceful
The rally in Chisinau was announced by the Shor opposition party along with several non-parliamentary parties and movements. Party leaders assured the public that the protest would be peaceful, though there were accusations of intimidation by police against activists over the previous days.
Reports from party members indicated that calls from various regions were used to threaten activists with criminal cases. Law enforcement conducted a broad operation this week, including searches and seizures of funds held by party cells.
Road closed for protest
In contrast, representatives of the People’s Movement reported delays in transportation as people traveled to Chisinau. Officials said traffic in some areas, including Glodiana, was halted, and there were reports of blockades on major routes. The movement also cited detentions in cities such as Balti, Briceni, and Riscan, among others.
Meetings under the state of emergency
A state of emergency has been in place in Moldova for more than a year, a period coinciding with security tensions linked to the broader regional situation. During this time, large public events faced restrictions and some opposition media outlets were closed. Nevertheless, opposition groups have continued to organize gatherings nearly every week since mid-2022, criticizing rising prices, inflation, and the government’s stance toward Russia, while calling for changes in leadership and policy direction.
During the protests, demonstrators called for the resignation of President Maia Sandu and the dissolution of parliament. President Sandu publicly warned about the risks of destabilization and urged parliament to grant additional powers to security services. She stressed that state institutions had corroborated information from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about potential threats to state buildings and hostage-taking in Moldova.
Sandu also referenced allegations of violence and attempts to seize administrative buildings to steer Moldova toward a pro-Russian course. Moldova’s newly appointed Prime Minister Dorin Recean urged Russia to withdraw peacekeepers from the Transnistrian region. The Kremlin’s spokesperson cautioned about discussing peacekeeping forces and the situation in the unrecognized breakaway region.