HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Greetings from Chişinău! Here’s what’s happening this week: Our feature offers an examination of the ongoing murder/suicide investigation into the death of businessman Iurii Luncaşu – a man who had close ties to oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc and wanted politician Ilan Shor. We also share editorials on conflicts over the commemoration of the end of the Second World War, as well as a special investigation into who should be held responsible for the deterioration of Moldova’s capital city’s main roadway, the Ştefan cel Mare Boulevard. Our expert poll shares insight into how Moldova ended up with a Socialist Party member as head of the Constitutional Court, plus we give you a run down of the latest lawsuits initiated under the former Democratic Party Government that have come under review and been resolved since the change in governance. Finally, we offer a roundup of the latest in opinions, analysis and events about Moldova from around the world. All of that and more in this week’s newsletter. Enjoying what you see? Then don’t forget to like our new English-language Facebook page for the latest updates from ZDG between newsletters. Happy reading!  

THIS WEEK’S FEATURE

THE LUNCAŞU CASE: Moldovan businessman Iurii Luncaşu was pronounced dead on August 17, after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Just prior to his death, he had his driver write a cryptic note that read: “I bought the White House in 2017, I was an investor.” The suspicious death has garnered a lot of attention, given the ongoing shakeup in the Moldovan business world after the fall of the Democratic Party Government. Corruption schemes in which businesses and the former regime cooperated to defraud the state are being brought to light – and many are rushing to do damage control. The “White House” mentioned in the note is an imposing building complex that Luncaşu bought for about 7.4 million euro in 2017; a property that linked him to ousted oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc and wanted politician Ilan Shor. And although Luncaşu is believed to have committed suicide, the prosecutors began investigating the death as a first-degree murder case involving three possibilities: suicide, murder and pressures to commit suicide. What’s more, Luncaşu’s family revealed that he was dealing with the progression of the disease multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile, experts think the case is more complicated, given Luncaşu’s important friendships among Moldova’s most corrupt oligarchs. ZDG breaks down what we know so far about the investigation into the death of Iurii Luncaşu.

FROM THE EDITORS

DODON’S CONCERN: This weekend Moldova marked 75 years of victory over facism – celebrating with a concert organized by President Igor Dodon. But despite being quick to condemn Nazism and fascism, the Moldovan President has been unable to apply the same critical gaze to the Communist period. Instead, he has fallen in line with Russia’s narrative, which plays up the victory over facism, while failing to acknowledge the atrocities of communism. And since Dodon has done nothing to commemorate the victims of the Soviet regime, ZDG’s Executive Director Alina Radu is left wondering: “If the condemnation of fascism was not followed by the condemnation of Stalinism and totalitarianism, isn’t it a kind of selective commemoration?” 

CARRYING THE “DEAD”: Eighty years ago, Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact: a non-agression treaty delineating their areas of influence in Europe and the world. Over the course of World War II, Russia occupied  a number of territories under the pretense of “liberation.” This included Basarabia, which remained part of the Soviet Union until Moldova declared independence in 1991. Last week, the Moldovan Government has declared August 23 the European Day of Commemoration of the Victims of All Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes – but not everyone is on board with the decision. But Soviet creations die hard and President Igor Dodon has other plans. “How long will we keep carrying the ‘dead’ with us?” asks ZDG’s Politics Editor Petru Grozavu. 

HOMECOMING: Everyday, Moldova’s citizens come to ZDG with their problems, out of a lack of trust in state institutions. Most often they share serious issues, many of which seem as though they can’t be resolved. But this week, ZDG’s Editor-in-Chief Aneta Grosu shares the story of Ala Ilașciuc – a woman who will soon be able to reunite her family in Kosovo thanks to the help of the newspaper and a surprisingly cooperative state official.

THE FOREIGN BRIEF

GAS TRANSIT: The Ukrainian state gas company Ukrtransgaz is partnering with Moldovagaz to transport 1.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Romania. This will serve to diversify Ukraine’s gas supply and replace gas from Russia after the current supply contract between the two countries expires at the end of the year. For Moldova, the new agreement will allow for the creation of its own gas reserves in Ukrainian underground gas storage units. Negotiations are ongoing for a new contract between Moldovagaz and Russia’s Gazprom, set to begin in 2020. That being said, diversifying energy resources remains a key priority for improving Moldova’s energy security and integrating into the E.U. energy system. 

CHIŞINĂU AIRPORT: NR Investments Ltd., a Guernsey-based company under the ownership of Nathaniel Rothschild, has acquired 95 percent of Avia Invest – the Moldovan company that currently manages the Chişinău International Airport. Although Avia Invest has yet to go public about the agreement, Moldova’s Minister of Economy is already angling to use the new agreement as an opportunity to renegotiate the conditions of the concession contract, namely to make changes to the passenger tax and push the new owners to invest in the modernization of the airport’s infrastructure. 

PHILIP MORRIS: Swiss officials have submitted a request to the Moldovan authorities on behalf of the cigarette manufacturing company Philip Morris. This comes in response to the new Government’s attempts to raise taxes on heated tobacco products. The new reforms are aimed at reducing tobacco consumption among Moldova’s population, where smoking affects some 50 percent of people. Meanwhile, Swiss officials have requested that the company be included in the public consultations on the country’s new tobacco regulations, which would affect smokers and hence, their business. 

ZDG INVESTIGATES

SPECIAL REPORT: Despite the multi-million euro repair project done to Ştefan cel Mare Boulevard, the most popular roadway in Moldova’s capital city, it is in a deplorable state. The works were officially completed almost two years ago, but the authorities and contractors have yet to sign the final acceptance report. And now the roadway is suffering from deformities around bus stations that make certain lanes unusable, its storm drains have been destroyed and the asphalt is deteriorating. ZDG’s special investigation offers a chronology of this unresolved issue – demonstrating how those who succeeded each other at the Directorate of Transport did not comply with requests to consult with independent experts to determine the party responsible for the deterioration. 

EXPERT POLL: Socialist Party Deputy Vladimir Ţurcan has been elected President of Moldova’s Constitutional Court in what is suspected to be an arranged vote. Prime Minister Maia Sandu has since asked the magistrates to make their votes public, stating that “we [the Government] reserve the right to act accordingly” and underscoring that “taking control of the Constitutional Court by political force, whatever it is, is a serious matter.” But how did Moldova end up with a Socialist Party member as head of the Constitutional Court? ZDG asks the experts.

SELECTIVE JUSTICE: In the 80 days that the new coalition government has been in power, several criminal cases opened under the previous Democratic Party government have taken unexpected turns. Magistrates have changed opinions and made surprising decisions – and some detainees have even been released. ZDG breaks down the results of the latest cases (filed when the Democratic Party was in government) that have come under review since the new government came to power.

TRANSPORT MINISTER: Shortly after being sentenced to jail time by the Chișinău Court of Appeal, former Minister of Transport and Road Infrastructure Iurie Chirinciuc was released. According to the indictment, Chirinciuc is accused of impeding the work of the Bulgarian company Patstroy JSK and of its subcontractor; effectively abusing his functional duties for personal interest. After police were unable to locate and detain Chirinciuc at his home, they requested a search warrant for his arrest. Chișinău’s Ciocana district Court scheduled a meeting to issue a search warrant in Chirinciuc’s name on August 20, but it was unexpectedly delayed without any explanation. Then, after ZdG published news about the delayed meeting, the former Minister called the newsroom. Here’s what Chirinciuc had to say. 

MOLDOVA IN WORLD NEWS

PUSHING OUT PLAHOTNIUC: “People want Plahotniuc to pay for all the abuses and crimes he has committed,” Prime Minister Maia Sandu told journalist Anna Nemtsova, in an exclusive interview with The Daily Beast. “Our people want him in prison and of course the court will decide for how many years.” Read the full article to see how Moldova is leading the way for Eastern Europe when it comes to anti-oligarchic change.

PROMOTIONS & POWER: Moldova’s President Igor Dodon has seemingly been attempting to consolidate his power over the country’s institutions, installing loyal allies with strong connections to Moscow in a number key positions. Now, Socialist Party Deputy Victor and Soviet Army veteran Gaiciuc has been promoted to the roles of presidential advisor on national defense and security and secretary of Moldova’s Supreme Security Council. But is this just a sign of another power grab or is President Dodon simply returning a favour? Madalin Necusut explains for Balkan Insight. 

LITHUANIA VISIT: During her official visit to Vilnius on August 22, Prime Minister Maia Sandu met with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Saulius Skvernelis, as well as other officials. According to the Baltic Times, Lithuania’s President called on Moldova to continue with its European integration and reform processes.

SPOTTED THIS WEEK

RUSSIAN VISIT: High-level tensions appeared between Moldova’s President and Prime Minister this week after President Igor Dodon invited Russia’s Defense Minister to Chişinău to attend a feast he and the Socialist Party organized to commemorate “75 years since the liberation of Moldova from the fascist occupation.” Prime Minister Maia Sandu quickly declared the visit a private one because the Government was not notified ahead of time and warned Moldova’s Defense Minister, Pavel Voicu, that he was prohibited from signing official agreements or arrangements with his counterpart. 

U.S. SECURITY ADVISOR: John Bolton, the American presidential advisor on national security issues, is set to visit Moldova on August 29. Prime Minister Maia Sandu and other members of the Government will then be paying an official visit to the United States, starting on September 4, 2019. According to Prime Minister Sandu, Moldova is aiming “to deepen the strategic dialogue with the U.S.A., to cooperate in key areas, to attract investments and to create jobs for our citizens at home.” 

The next issue of our weekly newsletter will appear on September 9th. ZDG wishes you happy national holidays of Moldova!  To keep up with our Moldova coverage throughout the week, you can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @ZiarulDe or check in at zdg.md/eng for our latest stories in English. More subscription options coming soon. Until next time!

– Daniela Bechet,  Cristina Carmanu, Maksym Eristavi, Eilish Hart and others from the ZdG Newsroom. Created with support from the Russian Language News Exchange.