Moldova Protest: Concerns Rise Over Opposition Persecution

Protests Erupt in Chisinau Over Alleged Persecution of Opposition Figures Chisinau, Moldova – On May 20, 2025, a protest took place in Chisinau, Moldova, focusing on the alleged persecution of opposition figures Evghenia Bucuțel and Svetlana Popan. A video circulating online shows a speaker addressing a crowd, criticizing the government's handling of the situation and calling for immediate judicial reform. The speaker alleges that the government is fabricating charges against Bucuțel and Popan, and that this is part of a broader pattern of suppressing dissent. "The government is using the courts as a tool to silence its critics," stated one protestor in the video. The video also shows signs reading "Sandu, stop persecuting the opposition!" While the video provides a visual record of the protest, independent verification of the claims is needed. The protest highlights concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of speech in Moldova, and calls for a thorough investigation into the cases of Bucuțel and Popan.