Protesters demand probe into missing money

Protesters have put up tents in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau as they demand an investigation into the disappearance of up to $1.5 billion from three Moldovan banks last year.

Organizers from non-governmental groups set up about 40 small tents on Monday in a main square, a day after tens of thousands joined a demonstration calling on the government, the central bank governor, the general prosecutor and others to resign.

The state-owned Savings Bank, the Social Bank and Unibank, where the money disappeared before the November parliamentary elections, were put under the National Bank of Moldova's administration in December, and the losses were covered by state reserves.

An unpublished parliamentary report said that some of the money was transferred to Russian banks. The three banks are owned by Moldovan and Russian investors.

The demonstration was sparked by public anger over the scandal that has shaken the former Soviet republic, one of the poorest countries in Europe.

"We will stay here until our demands are fully met!" shouted lawyer Andrei Nastase, one of those who organized the rally.

Organizers said 50,000 to 100,000 protesters gathered in Chisinau's central square to demand Timofti's resignation and a plebiscite to chose a new head of state, who is currently elected by parliament.

They called for the resignation of top officials at Moldova's central bank and the attorney general's office, demanding the government pursue integration efforts with Europe.

AP - AFP

(China Daily 09/08/2015 page12)