MOLDOVA:

STUDENTS ARRESTED AND FINED FOR PARTICIPATING IN A RALLY

On 17 April, a public meeting was organized in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. During the rally, some students were arrested and detained for three to seven hours as an administrative measure. They were then taken before a judge, who only later sanctioned the measures.

According to the Helsinki Committee in Moldova, at least 25 individuals were arrested and fined for violating article 174 of the Code of Administrative Sanctions dealing with "active participation in an unauthorized assembly." At least six others were fined on the basis of article 164 for "shouting abusively during the assembly."

The Helsinki Committee took over the legal representation for four students before the Chisinau Court of Appeal. Unfortunately, none of the students who were fined on the basis of article 164 agreed to appeal their cases.

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Source: Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in MoldovaFor more information please contact the Helsinki Committee, tel. +373-2-222618 or 227396,

e-mail chdom@moldnet.md