Some of the farmers arrived in the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN) to protest. Farmers are still demanding the introduction of a moratorium on the calculation of penalties against creditors, as well as a ban on the import of wheat, corn and sunflowers until at least March 31, 2024.

UPDATE 19:30 Farmers have attached protest messages to tractors and agricultural equipment in PMAN.

UPDATE 18:00 Alexandr Slusari, executive director of the Farmers’ Force Association, said the farmers wanted the police to provide them with a corridor. Asked about the altercation with the police, the Association leader said that they “received instructions from above to provoke them”.

“(…)The government turns a blind eye. We interact with the authorities through the police, who all day have done everything possible to distort the situation, to provoke the farmers, to intimidate. (…)Farmers, in these two days you probably understand, have nothing to lose. They came here with the last diesel, because creditors are waiting for them at home, who want to deprive them of their goods and techniques, their land and their houses. (…) People simply have nothing to lose and they are not going to leave just like that,” Slusari said.

Several agricultural machinery units were stationed in the centre of the capital.

Viorel Cernăuțeanu on the farmers’ protest: “Unplanned, uncoordinated and unsanctioned actions”

The head of the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP), Viorel Cernăuțeanu, came out in a press briefing on the morning of 24 November, clarifying about the farmers’ protest and the actions of law enforcement bodies, after several incidents occurred during the first two days of demonstrations.

“The preliminary statement submitted by the organisers of this meeting made some very clear points. One of them was the movement and location of the meeting on 22 November on the outskirts of Chisinau. On 23 November, the organisers and the group of farmers were to move to the city centre.

We have an obligation to respect the rights of all those who intend to participate in any form of assembly, but in addition to the rights they have, citizens who participate in assemblies also have obligations. At the same time, we are obliged to respect the rights of other citizens, students, employees, road users. Our rights are limited to where we do not infringe or affect the rights of other citizens.

(…) It is incomprehensible to me when a person who has signed the statement communicates that previously such acts, such illegal actions have been committed and nothing has happened. (…) Following this logic, it comes out that if previously we stole, why not steal now?

During yesterday and 22 November, a number of violations were noted, admitted by the organisers and participants of the meeting. We continue to ensure the smooth running of the meeting and ask the organisers to respect the law on meetings.

(…) We endanger the safety of road traffic when we take unplanned, uncoordinated and unsanctioned actions – of suddenly stepping out onto the road, blocking and creating accident situations.

Farmers have not been documented for protest. Violations were found for admitted facts that were not stipulated in the prior declaration.

No one has the right to attack state property, which is purchased from the taxes of all citizens. Criminal proceedings have been initiated on the persons who were instigators of these actions,” the IGP chief said.

Earlier, the association announced that the farmers’ protests would take place from 22-26 November.  The organisers estimated an attendance of more than 1,000 people and 500 units of agricultural equipment.