01:41Supporters of Moldova's opposition Shor Party held a rally outside the Constitutional Court in Chisinau on Tuesday, as the court considered the group's appeal against a ban on members standing in elections.
Footage shows the protesters holding placards and chanting 'Down with [President] Maia Sandu!' as Shor Party Chairperson Valerii Klimenko addressed the crowd.
"The only party in Moldova that is ready to protect the republic and its sovereignty until the end and this is the Shor party," she told them.
The court later announced that members could run in local elections as independents or as members of other parties. In June, it imposed a ruling banning the party itself, declaring it 'unconstitutional' over alleged links to Russia.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu claimed that 'a political party created out of corruption and for corruption is a danger to the constitutional order and security of the state'. According to Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean, the party 'often violated the law' and also received financial support 'from a third state secret service with the aim of destabilising Moldova'.
The party said it intends to challenge that decision in the European Court of Human Rights.
The Moldovan Constitutional Court first launched an inquiry into the activities of the Shor Party in May at the request of the government, which accused the party of acting 'contrary to the principles of the rule of law and endangering the sovereignty and independence of the republic'.
The party claimed the accusations were unfounded, saying it 'acts in accordance with the
Moldovan legislation'.
In November 2022, the Moldovan government also argued for the liquidation of the opposition party in connection with ongoing protests, which the court rejected.
Shor Party holds rally in Chisinau as Constitutional Court considers challenge to election ban for members
Supporters of Moldova's opposition Shor Party held a rally outside the Constitutional Court in Chisinau on Tuesday, as the court considered the group's appeal against a ban on members standing in elections.
Footage shows the protesters holding placards and chanting 'Down with [President] Maia Sandu!' as Shor Party Chairperson Valerii Klimenko addressed the crowd.
"The only party in Moldova that is ready to protect the republic and its sovereignty until the end and this is the Shor party," she told them.
The court later announced that members could run in local elections as independents or as members of other parties. In June, it imposed a ruling banning the party itself, declaring it 'unconstitutional' over alleged links to Russia.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu claimed that 'a political party created out of corruption and for corruption is a danger to the constitutional order and security of the state'. According to Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean, the party 'often violated the law' and also received financial support 'from a third state secret service with the aim of destabilising Moldova'.
The party said it intends to challenge that decision in the European Court of Human Rights.
The Moldovan Constitutional Court first launched an inquiry into the activities of the Shor Party in May at the request of the government, which accused the party of acting 'contrary to the principles of the rule of law and endangering the sovereignty and independence of the republic'.
The party claimed the accusations were unfounded, saying it 'acts in accordance with the
Moldovan legislation'.
In November 2022, the Moldovan government also argued for the liquidation of the opposition party in connection with ongoing protests, which the court rejected.
Supporters of Moldova's opposition Shor Party held a rally outside the Constitutional Court in Chisinau on Tuesday, as the court considered the group's appeal against a ban on members standing in elections.
Footage shows the protesters holding placards and chanting 'Down with [President] Maia Sandu!' as Shor Party Chairperson Valerii Klimenko addressed the crowd.
"The only party in Moldova that is ready to protect the republic and its sovereignty until the end and this is the Shor party," she told them.
The court later announced that members could run in local elections as independents or as members of other parties. In June, it imposed a ruling banning the party itself, declaring it 'unconstitutional' over alleged links to Russia.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu claimed that 'a political party created out of corruption and for corruption is a danger to the constitutional order and security of the state'. According to Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean, the party 'often violated the law' and also received financial support 'from a third state secret service with the aim of destabilising Moldova'.
The party said it intends to challenge that decision in the European Court of Human Rights.
The Moldovan Constitutional Court first launched an inquiry into the activities of the Shor Party in May at the request of the government, which accused the party of acting 'contrary to the principles of the rule of law and endangering the sovereignty and independence of the republic'.
The party claimed the accusations were unfounded, saying it 'acts in accordance with the
Moldovan legislation'.
In November 2022, the Moldovan government also argued for the liquidation of the opposition party in connection with ongoing protests, which the court rejected.