CHISINAU (Reuters) -- Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin urged legal authorities to proclaim an amnesty for people detained while taking part in anti-communist demonstrations, except for criminals and repeat offenders.
"I call on the competent bodies to carry out a general amnesty and call for an end to all forms of prosecution against participants in street protests," Voronin said in comments broadcast before a televised address to the nation. "Representatives of the criminal world and repeat offenders must remain in prison."
About 200 people were detained after violent protests last week against alleged vote rigging in an election won by the Communists, and international groups have since accused the authorities in the ex-Soviet state of mistreating detainees.
"I call on the competent bodies to carry out a general amnesty and call for an end to all forms of prosecution against participants in street protests," Voronin said in comments broadcast before a televised address to the nation. "Representatives of the criminal world and repeat offenders must remain in prison."
About 200 people were detained after violent protests last week against alleged vote rigging in an election won by the Communists, and international groups have since accused the authorities in the ex-Soviet state of mistreating detainees.