Who has interests in Cogealac? Mayor Hristu has led locals within gunshot (video)

Yesterday, Cogealac village turned into a large battlefield between civilians and security officers armed with some guns with rubber balls

A group of residents joined Mayor Hristu in his steps to fine the company who builds and operates wind farms in the village. Now, Hristu is being investigated for instigation to violence and he is liable to a criminal record. Conflict between the Cogealac mayor, Cati Hristu, and the company that wanted to build a wind park in the village moved from the court on the ground under discussion.

But, what’s the story behind Mayor’s anger?

Head of Cogealac local administration could not be contacted to provide answers, but explanations exist. The mayor claims that CEZ, the company that is going to make the Aeolian park, didn’t have permits from city hall to start work. However, Constanta County Council (CCC) already issued these permits, only the problem was that taxes and duty for the company’s activity were not received by the local budget. In fact, this was the explanation offered by Hristu to the locals in order to make them quarrel. The real reason of Mayor’s anger is another, given by certain personal interests. So, legally speaking, CEZ Company, represented by Ovidiu Development Company, could perfectly well to settle the Aeolians in Cogealac. The fight between the Mayor and CEZ reached the court and the Mayor decided to force a solution.

Armed conflict on the wind field

A few days ago, chairman of the CDNPP branch Constanta Tudorel Chesoi, announced a protest of the inhabitants of Cogealac against the abuse made by the company in discussion. At that time, nobody suspected that five of the protesters would be shot. Mayor and 70 people, including deputy Mihai Dore, went to the place where the wind turbines were executed to impose fines to the company.

In the particular spirit, the event has degenerated, and locals clashed with the security guards from Romnaţional Company, who were guarding the private land. They were forced to fight back against protesters by making use of the weapon, guns with rubber balls. First shots were fired vertically, but the furious crowd moved forward and the agents had to shoot in the demonstrators’ legs in order to protect the area. The conflict ended in five injured people who were transported to the Emergency County Hospital (SCJU) from Constanta. Currently, only two people are still in the hospital.

Iulian Zagaevschi, manager of Romnaţional Security, said his men shot to defend themselves. "We have a contract with one of the companies that build for CEZ. According to the contract and security plan, we must defend uncovered plots where is going to be set the foundation for Aeolians. As far as I know, the mayor of Cogealac has an old conflict with those of CEZ. Our agents were attacked with stones and, in a first phase, they gave up as a sign of reconciliation. But the crowd of protesters continued to attack, so they made use of weapons, initially vertically, according to the law", explained manager of Romnaţional. Iulian Zagaevschi also said that his men used guns with rubber balls, which do not cause serious injury.

CCC sent TAPO on the spot
 
Constanta County Council officials have not remained impassive to the Cogealac situation and act accordingly. "We sent at the spot representatives of Territorial Authority for Public Order (TAPO). We don’t know exactly what happened there. Prosecutor and County Police Inspectorate has jurisdiction for this situation", said CCC spokesman Cristian Moldovanu.

Prefect Claudiu Palaz believes that the Mayor Hristu used the residents to solve his personal problems. "This situation came up because the mayor has incited people to revolt. I don’t think that, as Mayor of the village, it falls within his duties to draw people into the streets for being unable to solve his legal problems", said Palaz. He added that he would investigate to see whether the security officers fired in self-defense or not. Investigations into this case continue and the mayor Hristu Cati is among those interrogated, as his counsel sustained.