Veronica Dragalin
The reason is not only the amnesty law, but also the no less scandalous statement of the former head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Veronika Dragalin. She claims that the ruling Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), through its representatives in the highest bodies of state power, compiles lists of loyal prosecutors who are to undergo an external evaluation of their integrity and professional suitability (vetting).
Speaking about the current situation, Diana Karaman, MP of the Communist and Socialist Bloc, said: “When the former head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office openly speaks about politicians’ interference in criminal cases, pressure on prosecutors and attempts by the authorities to control justice – this is not even a scandal anymore, but an emergency situation that we cannot hide…”.
Dragalin’s revelations have already caused a storm of indignation in society. Many prominent lawyers and politicians are calling for a thorough investigation into her statements and for the toughest measures to be taken against those who allowed this to happen. The general message of such calls is that “justice reform” in general and the notorious “vetting” procedure, as a key element of this reform, are called into question by Dragalin’s statements. If the authorities do not respond to this, the credibility of the ongoing transformations will be finally undermined.
There are also calls for the EU, which financially and institutionally supports this reform, to intervene in the situation and demand that Chisinau take the statements of the former head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office seriously.
However, the PAS faction in Parliament sees no need for hearings on the situation in the justice system. It rejected the proposal to summon the prosecutor general to the legislature, as well as the vote of no confidence in Justice Minister Veronica Mihailov-Moraru.
Opposition MPs left the parliamentary session hall in protest against the ignoring of all their initiatives. At the same time, they did not rule out the possibility that they would challenge the refusal to consider their proposals in the Constitutional Court.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu is concerned about other aspects of Moldovan justice. Commenting on the situation with the Bashkan of Gagauzia, Eugenia Gutsul, who the previous day was placed under house arrest by the court instead of being kept in a penitentiary institution, Grosu said: “Our justice system should clearly understand: everyone involved in corruption schemes must be held accountable.
Naturally, at the same time, the Speaker of Parliament cannot even think about the possible involvement of PAS supporters and sympathizers in corruption schemes. Interference in criminal cases and pressure on prosecutors is not corruption. It is reform.
Alexander ROMANOV
