Arcașii lui Ștefan



The National Organization of Bessarabia "Arcașii lui Ștefan" (Romanian:Organizația Națională din Basarabia "Arcașii lui Ștefan") was one of the organized anti-Soviet groups in Bessarabia right after World War II.

Activity
The National Organization of Bessarabia was formed in October 1945, on the territory of the former Soroca County by teachers Vasile Bătrânac, Victor Solovei, Nicolae Prăjină, Teodosie Guzun, and Anton Romașcan, as well as a student, Nichita Brumă. The organization took the name "Arcașii lui Ștefan" in October 1946; by March 1947, it had more than 140 members.

On 23 March 1947, Bătrânac was arrested by the NKVD secret police, who found a detailed list of the organization's members in his possession. Shortly after, all members, including the other leaders of "Arcașii lui Ștefan", were apprehended by the Soviet authorities. On 11 June, Bătrânac was sentenced to 25 years forced labor and sent to a camp in Siberia.