The Communist-dominated parliament in Moldova has suspended two opposition Christian Democratic members to allow prosecutions to be brought against them for allegedly organising anti-government demonstrations.

The parliamentarians, Iurie Rosca and Stefan Secareanu, were not present at the secret ballot.

Plans to prosecute fellow Christian Democratic parliamentarian, Vlad Cubreacov, have been postponed following his disappearance in March.

Thousands of people have been continuing long-running demonstrations in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, against what they allege is the government's apparent desire to align the largely Romanian-speaking former Soviet republic with Russia.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service