Jail terms sought for teenagers in flag-raft prank

Teenagers in Pridnestrovie launching a homemade raft in the river towards Moldova

CHISINAU (Tiraspol Times) - The Moldovan General Prosecutor's Office has initiated criminal proceedings on charges of desecration of the country's state symbols against two members of Proriv ("Breakthrough"), a Tiraspol-based youth organization and political party with no representation in Pridnestrovie's parliament. The crime, an adolescent prank, is punishable with up to six years in prison.

On August 30, the teenagers gathered at the Dniester River bank - the border between Moldova and Pridnestrovie - where they set afloat a wooden toy raft carrying a homemade version of the flag of Moldova. According to Infotag, they then poured gasoline on it, and lit up the entire structure. The purpose? A political "happening" and symbolic goodbye to Moldova's claim on Pridnestrovie.

The Breakthrough-members sent kisses after the moving raft, on its way to the Moldovan side of the river, shouting "Farewell, Moldova!" and "Long live Pridnestrovie's independence!"

The Moldovan legislation stipulates the following punishments for state symbol desecration: fines of 4,000 to 14,000 lei, public works of 150-200 hours, or imprisonment of between two to six years.

Reactions: "Put down the bong"

One Western NGO-worker, commenting in private, asks what Moldova's General Prosecutor has been smoking:
" - Whatever it is, I want some of it. But I also want to remind him to put down the bong while he's at work. You can't throw kids in jail for a summertime stunt like that. Even just threatening them with locking them up is way uncool," says the international consultant.

" - Then, on a broader note, I look at this and it reminds me of Victor Davis Hanson's conclusion that the Western way will win out, with values such as political freedom, capitalism, individualism, scientific inquiry, rationalism, and open debate, and I have to ask myself who is being more rational here. Back in the States, performance artists incorporate the flag every single day and no one gets thrown in the pokey for it. I see more grassroots political activity and individual initiative in Tiraspol than in Chisinau, so sooner or later these guys will get their independence recognized. In comparison, the kneejerk reaction of the Moldovan government is pure old school, straight out of North Korea or some other country with a Communist president."

Tiraspol Times also spoke with one of members of Breakthrough. While not yet among the indicted, she joined the August 30 event and saw it first hand. And with Moldovan law enforcement on the warpath, Oksana L. understandably asked to be identified only by her first name.

What was the purpose of the event on August 30?
Oksana: " - It was symbolic, it was just an idea that some of us had. School was out, and one afternoon there wasn't too much to do, so to pass the time some of the kids got together and built a small raft out of plywood and empty soda bottles."

Did you put the Moldovan flag on the wooden raft?
Oksana: " - That was the whole point, we wanted to send it away from our side of the river. But we didn't have any money for a flag, and besides, Moldovan flags aren't available anywhere in Pridnestrovie. So we got a couple of pieces of paper and some colored magic markers, and we drew our own homemade tricolor."

Then what?
Oksana: " - Then we went down to the river, baptized the float and launched it. Big deal. There was not much else to do that day, and I guess that over in Chisinau right now, there isn't a whole lot to do either, or else the criminal system wouldn't be after us with such a dumb and insignificant case. Where's our freedom of speech? Our human rights?"

Did the homemade flag burn?
Oksana: " - That is what the newspapers in Moldova say. But they say a lot of things that aren't necessary true. I was there and I didn't see it burn. Of course, now, after they want to put us in jail, we have more reason than before for wanting to burn their flag. I would light one up myself if you gave it to me today. That's really the only reaction they can expect to get from using such heavyhanded methods against us."

The punishment ranges from two to six year prison terms. Are you afraid of going to jail?
Oksana: " - I don't appear in any of the photos so I don't think I will be targeted. But two of my friends from school can easily be identified. Anyway, to put us in prison for an afternoon of harmless fun would be a bit harsh. It is not as if there are any victims, just us. Besides, we are minors. Only one of my friends is over 18."

If asked to testify, will you do so?
Oksana: " - No way. You would think that Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, would have something better to do with its limited government money and all of its internal problems which haven't been solved. Why do they need to bother themselves with what goes on in Pridnestrovie? It is not theirs. We have already declared independence sixteen years ago. For as long as I have been alive, my country has not accepted Moldova's laws as being valid within the borders."

Pridnestrovie, also known as Transnistria, declared independence on 2 September 1990. From that date forward, Moldovan laws have not been observed within the borders of the unrecognized country, which instead has its own Constitution and criminal code. Under local laws, it is not illegal to burn what is considered to be a foreign flag, nor is it a crime to send it away on a toy raft in the river.