Freedom Flame lit in memory of April 7, 2009 victims

Dozens of candles in memory of the victims of the April 7, 2009 events were lit in the form of digit 7 in the Great National Assembly Square on April 7 in the evening, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We named this event The Freedom Flame. It is exactly two years since the April 2009 protests, when the young people took to the streets to fight for a better, European future, and a democratic state,” said Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca. The Freedom Flame began to burn in the Moldovan young people’s souls on April 6, 2009. The next day, thousands of young persons came together to seek freedom. Then the protests moved to the Parliament Building and the Presidential Office, said the mayor. “We lit candles in memory of Valeriu Boboc, who lost his life during those events. Hundreds of young people were tortured and those to blame have not been yet punished. There are persons among us who protect the criminals and promote them,” Dorin Chirtoaca stressed. “April 7 represents a freedom day for the Moldovan youth. Two years ago, there was a fight for freedom. Today, it is a morning day for the victims of those events,” said a student who took part in the protests two years ago. The Freedom Flame event was organized by the Chisinau City Hall. Those attending could also watch a recital of folk and national-patriotic music in the Great National Assembly Square. Thousands of young people protested against the results of the April 5, 2009 legislative elections on April 7. The peaceful protests degenerated into rioting and violence. The Parliament Building and the Presidential Office were destroyed. Several hundreds of young people were taken to police stations and maltreated there.