The imperial flag of the Russian Federation, used more and more in recent years by nationalist organizations in Russia, as well as in the occupied regions of Ukraine, has been declared extremist in Moldova. The decision was made by the Chisinau Court, at the request of the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the Information and Security Service. The flag with the three horizontal lines of black-yellow-white color was used as the national flag of the Russian Empire in the years 1858-1896, during the reign of Tsar Alexander II. Currently, it is promoted by the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin as a symbol of the "New Russia." In 2014, the flag was raised in Donetsk and Luhansk by the Russian occupation army, and some military units still have it in use. According to anticoruptie.md, in Comrat, Gagauzia, such flags are also used in pro-Russian demonstrations. These symbols have been banned in Moldova, and individuals who use them risk hefty fines and community service. |