21 search warrants executed in Bucharest and 11 counties following violence at Victory Square
Police executed 21 home search warrants on Wednesday linked to the violent protest by shepherds on 15 September. 38 preventive measures have been ordered to date.
Raids across the country following clashes between protesters and gendarmes in front of Government
On Wednesday, 7 October, police officers from the General Police Directorate of Bucharest Municipality (DGPMB) executed 21 home search warrants and 21 warrants to bring persons in for questioning in Bucharest and the counties of Giurgiu, Călărași, Teleorman, Argeș, Brăila, Maramureș, Galați, Sălaj, Mureș, Brașov and Iași. The action targets those who participated in the violence on 15 September at Victory Square, according to Gândul.
The criminal investigation is being conducted under the coordination of the Prosecutor's Office attached to Bucharest Tribunal and covers offences of public incitement, contempt, disturbance of public order and peace, destruction, and assault or other violence.
What happened on 15 September
In the context of the protest held at Victory Square, some of the participants allegedly carried out acts of violence against gendarmes who were performing their service duties. According to DGPMB, violent protesters allegedly threw kerbs, bottles, metal railings and pyrotechnic objects in the direction of gendarme units.
Some of the demonstrators allegedly struck gendarmes with fists, feet and wooden objects, namely batons. At the same time, two employees of a media company present at the scene were allegedly physically assaulted. Several protesters allegedly caused damage to a police vehicle, as well as other property belonging to the Gendarmerie.
As a result of the incidents, 24 people were injured and 27 were detained. Three criminal files were opened and 24 fines totalling 46,000 lei were issued.
38 preventive measures ordered to date
At the time of the searches, 38 preventive measures had been ordered in the case: 28 preventive arrests for 30 days, 6 house arrests for 30 days and 4 judicial supervision measures.
DGPMB clarified that "the execution of a home search represents an evidentiary procedure within the criminal process, regulated by the Code of Criminal Procedure, which is aimed at gathering the evidence necessary to resolve the case and which cannot, in any way, violate the principle of the presumption of innocence".
The action on Wednesday was supported by police officers from the county inspectorates of Teleorman, Argeș, Brăila, Maramureș, Galați, Sălaj, Mureș, Brașov and Iași, as well as by intervention teams from the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Gendarmerie.
Farmers distanced themselves from violence
The farmers who organised the shepherds' protest at Victory Square publicly distanced themselves from the violent incidents that occurred during the demonstration. The investigation is being continued by the Prosecutor's Office attached to Bucharest Tribunal together with police officers from the Violent Criminal Groups Service and the Central Criminal Investigation Service.
Source: Gândul