In the framework of Joint Operation “ORION” aiming at supporting the Ukrainian and Moldovan law enforcement agencies in counteracting the illicit arms trafficking, the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) has partnered Moldovan General Police Inspectorate during the public campaign on voluntarily handing over the illegally possessed firearms by Moldovan citizens, without facing any criminal liability. With the Mission’s support, 11,000 leaflets and posters in Romanian and Russian languages were printed and distributed.

The campaign lasted for three months, between November 2018 and January 2019, and aimed at creating a secure environment in the Republic of Moldova by removing the illegally possessed weapons, ammunition and explosives and raising the civil society’s awareness on this topic. During the numerous meetings and events the citizens were encouraged to hand over to the authorities the weapons and ammunitions possessed by them illegally and explained the many risks and consequences deriving from the unlawful possession of such belongings.

The campaign proved to be a successful one as more than 2,000 cartridges with different calibers, 130 firearms and 70 mines, shells and grenades were voluntary handed over by the Moldovan citizens.