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Head of Moldova’s Gagauz autonomy signs law allowing St. George’s ribbon

The document also establishes arrangements "for a number of events in order to commemorate war participants and for the patriotic upbringing of the younger generation in Gagauzia"

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

CHISINAU, May 3. /TASS/. Head of Gagauzia Irina Vlah signed a law approved by the parliament earlier which allows the manufacture, possession and use of the St. George’s ribbon, the website of the Gagauz autonomy said on Tuesday.

According to the portal, the law "On the use of the symbols of Victory on the territory of Gagauzia" provides that "the manufacture, possession and use of the St. George’s ribbon, red Victory banners and other symbols related to the victory in the Great Patriotic War" are allowed on the autonomy’s territory. The document also establishes arrangements "for a number of events in order to commemorate war participants and for the patriotic upbringing of the younger generation in Gagauzia."

Ban on St. George’s ribbons in Moldova

The idea of prohibiting the St. George’s ribbon was proposed by lawmakers from the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), while the opposition boycotted the meeting. Individuals who wear, display and distribute the St. George ribbon will face fines ranging from 4,500 lei (about $250) to 9,000 lei (about $500).

The ban was strongly condemned by a number of politicians in Moldova and Transnistria, as well as by some Moldovan public organizations. A rally was held near the Parliament building, unknown individuals painted a vacant multi-story building in the center of Chisinau with the colors of the St. George's ribbon. Moreover, former President of Moldova Igor Dodon assured that on May 9 he, along with thousands of Chisinau residents, would go to the Memorial of Military Glory, wearing the St. George’s ribbon on his chest, as he had done in the past.

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