A protest was mounted in Comrat in support of suspended Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, was was arrested in the evening of October 5. The protesters, who came together in front of the head office of the Executive Committee of Gagauzia, consider the arrest is illegal and demand to immediately set free Stoianoglo. They said the Gagauz people will defend him, IPN reports.

One of the participants in the protest said Alexandr Stoianoglo is one of the few prosecutors general who showed that theory are independent and worked for the people’s benefit. “I call on the law enforcement agencies and on those who are involved to set free Alexandr Stoianoglo so that he could further fulfill his professional duties,” said the young man.

Another protester noted that the arrest was made in the absence of evidence that would prove the charges against Stoianoglo. The Prosecutor General is protected by the Constitution and his arrest and suspension represent usurpation of state power.

“The Prosecutor General is a decent person. He is accused of older deeds, but he took up his duties two years ago, winning the contest staged to fill this post. The people in ATU Gagauzia, including the deputies of the People’s Assembly, regardless of their political color, should combine forces and support the prosecutor general,” he stated.

A young man said the Gagauz community has a duty to unite and support their compatriot Alexandr Stoianoglo. The protesters will file a petition by which they will demand to set free Stoianoglo and to conduct a transparent inquiry. The petition will be sent to all the state bodies, including the presidential administration, the Government and the law enforcement agencies.

Attending the protest, deputy-elect of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia Vladimir Cîssa noted that the deputies-elect will hold a meeting in the afternoon to discuss the created situation.

Alexandr Stoianoglo was arrested for 72 hours on October 5. He is held in the remand prison of the Chisinau Police Division.  He was charged with abuse of power, misconduct in office, passive corruption and falsehood. The prospector in charge of the case decided to suspend Alexandr Stoianoglo from office for the period of the investigation.