USR's Lasconi: It is regrettable that Romanians who protested in the streets roughed up journalists

The essence of democracy starts from a free press, Save Romania Union (USR) national leader Elena Lasconi said on Sunday evening, strongly condemning recent violence against journalists.

"I strongly condemn any type of violence in Romanian society. 35 years ago, we earned the right to protest, to shout our grievances in the streets, to think and speak freely. 1,166 people died then for our freedom and for us today to live in a democracy. It is regrettable, serious that some Romanians who protested today in the streets, some in folk clothing, with icons in their hands and with tricolor flags, roughed up journalists. What brought us to this situation? God is love, He doesn't make us angry, He doesn't turn Romanian against Romanian, He doesn't turn brother against brother. Romania has good, hospitable, loving people. Let's remember who we are and enjoy each other," Lasconi wrote in a social media post.

She called on state bodies claiming that they were inactive last year. "Everything that is happening now is the effect of your incompetence and lack of involvement, those of you who are paid from our money to defend our democracy. Now, in the eleventh hour, urgently penalise the gestures of aggression against the press! Protect journalists and stop protecting politicians! We need a free press, and journalists who do their job correctly must be respected, not booed and beaten."

The Bucharest Police reported on Sunday that, during a public protest rally in Bucharest, a representative of a television company was allegedly assaulted, adding that specific actions will be taken to detect the persons involved in the event.

Investigations are currently being carried out by Precinct 20 officers in order to accurately establish the factual situation and take the necessary legal measures.