Protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau
Over 300 teenagers, mainly members of the young team of the Liberal Party of Moldova peacefully demonstrated in front of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau today. They expressed their anger over the Russian annexation of Bessarabia in 1812, today the Republic of Moldova.
The Russian Empire expressed for the first time its intention to annex Moldova during the Russo-Turkish War of 1806-1812, when Czar Alexander I, whose armies already occupied the Danubian Principalities, conferred with France's Napoleon I at Tilsit, in July 1807. However, the May 1812 Bucharest Peace Treaty which, shortly before Napoleon's armies invaded Russia, put an end to that war, stipulated the annexation of only the eastern half of Moldova, thereafter dubbed Bessarabia.
The protesters were wearing T-shirts with messages „1812 – Occupation” and carrying banners with „Russia – admit the occupation!” „1812 – 200 years of occupation!” They have also launched black balloons in the air.
„It is a right and honest claim for which we will continue to advocate until the whole world will hear that Bessarabia was occupied in 1812,” said Ion Bargan, the President of the Liberal Students Club.
The demonstrators have drafted a letter addressed to the Russian President Vladimir Putin and enclosed photos which picture the occupation period. The letter will be sent to Kremlin tomorrow.
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