July 4 Declared National Mourning Day in Moldova

To commemorate the victims of the Chisinau airport tragedy and to express compassion with the families and relatives of the victims, Maia Sandu signed a decree declaring July 4, 2023 a national mourning day. On this day, state flags will be lowered in all Moldovan cities, towns and villages, as well as at Moldovan diplomatic and consular representations abroad. At 12:00 p.m., a minute of silence will be observed to commemorate the dead. Public authorities, business and organizations are advised to refrain from mass entertainment events and mass media should pay attention to the specifics of the 4th of July when editing publications and programs. President Maia Sandu also signed a decree on posthumously awarding the medal "For Military Merit" to Igor Ciofu, lieutenant-colonel in the reserve of the Guard and State Protection Service, and Sergiu Munteanu, the deputy head of the Border Police of the Interior Ministry. A citizen of Tajikistan opened fire at the Chisinau International Airport on the evening of June 30. Shortly afterwards, the attacker was detained by the Fulger special forces. A border guard and an airport security officer were killed in the attack. The shooter at the Chisinau airport was wanted for kidnapping a banker in Dushanbe in June 2023.