CHISINAU, September 30 (RIA Novosti) - Pensioners in Moldova's capital Chisinau blocked the city's main highway on Wednesday in protest against rising fees for public transport and utilities.

Protests are being held for the second day, including in front of the mayor's office. Chisinau pensioners, hitting spoons on saucepans, are demanding that the government step down. They are also calling for a review of tariffs on public transportation and water supply tariffs, as well as the resignation of city officials.

The protests were launched in response to a decision by local authorities to raise public transportation fees by 1 leu ($0.1) to 2 leus ($0.2) and 3 leus ($0.3) for trolleybus and bus tickets, respectively, and water supply fees to 9.19 leus ($9) per ton.

Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca said a Chisinau Municipal Council meeting over the protest is to be held at 4.00 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT). Chirtoaca was saved by his bodyguards after protestors attacked him outside his office on Tuesday evening.