Protesters seek modification of law on identification papers

The Orthodox Christians who refuse to apply for identification papers with common identification code for religious reasons staged a protest in front of the Palace of the Republic on November 4. They demanded that the MPs introduce amendments to the legislation so that they be allowed to hold identification papers without identification code, recognized by all the state institutions, Info-Prim Neo reports. The protesters complained that they are discriminated, cannot find jobs and cannot sell or purchase real estate as they need identification papers with identification code. “We demand that the persons who do not have this code benefit from the same rights as the other Moldovan people,” said Elena Batca, legal consultant at the Moldovan Metropolitan Church. “There should be another identification mechanism that will not prejudice the religious beliefs of the people,” said a protester, priest Teodor Olaras. “If I accept this code, I become a son of this system of the Antichrist, which is fashionable today all over the world. They say the Antichrist's stamp does not exist, but the use of electronic codes will lead to its appearance.” The protest was organized by the Association of Orthodox Christians "Blessed Matron Nun”. According to the association, there are more than 10,000 people in Moldova who possess Form No. 9, which is a temporary identity document without identification code. Some of them held identity cards with numerical code, but renounced it. Others continue to hold Soviet-type passports, while the largest part have no identification papers.