Former deportees and political prisoners demand same rights as war veterans

“We asked for higher pensions and that we be paid back the money stolen from our parents and grandparents,” the head of the Association of Former Deportees and Political Detainees Valentina Sturza told Info-Prim Neo after she had a meeting with Acting President Mihai Ghimpu. Valentina Sturza considers that all the deportees should benefit from allowances not only those from Chisinau. She said she asked the head of state to offer the former deportees and political prisoners the same rights as those enjoyed by the war veterans because they were as seriously affected. For his part, Mihai Ghimpu asked Valentina Sturza to make an approach and assured her that a decision to this effect will be made soon. In a communique issued by the presidential press service, it is said that the cases concerning the deportation of Moldovans should be public so that everyone has access to them. Mihai Ghimpu spoke about the activities that will be held on June 13 to mark 69 years of the deportations of 1941. A monument to deportees will be erected in the square in front of the Railway Terminal in Chisinau next year, he said.