HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Greetings from Chişinău! Here’s what’s happening this week: our feature story breaks down six high profile criminal cases initiated during the first 100 day of the new coalition government. In editorials, we analyze the detention of two parliamentary deputies who have been arrested as beneficiaries of the Bank Fraud, asking whether the response from the Prosecutor General’s office haw been effective, and look at the coalition government’s reform efforts that have turned the country into one big construction site. In weekly investigations, we examine what happened to the 16 judges accused of laundering $20 billion through Moldova as part of the Russian Laundromat scheme three years ago, plus we bring you a special op-ed on corruption in the Moldovan higher education system. All of that and more in this week’s newsletter. Happy reading!  

THIS WEEK’S FEATURE

ONE HUNDRED DAYS: In the hundred days that have passed since the Socialist Party–ACUM Bloc Government took power in June, Moldova has seen three different prosecutor generals. What’s more, the Prosecutor General’s Office has initiated a number of high-profile criminal cases, especially after the most recent interim Prosecutor General, Dumitru Robu, was appointed on July 31. These cases cover everything from money laundering to illegal phone tapping; from bank fraud to the usurpation of state power, but the fate of those involved has yet to be determined. ZdG gives you a round up of the top criminal cases initiated during the coalition government’s first hundred days. 

FROM THE EDITORS

UNDERCOVER JUSTICE: The Prosecutor General’s Office detained two individuals featured in the Kroll Reports on the 2014 bank fraud that robbed Moldova of billions. Now, Marina Tauber and Reghina Apostolova – who are parliamentary deputies and members of Ilan Shor’s party – are in detention, but the most high-profile participants implicated in the bank fraud remain at large. ZdG’s Editor-in-Chief Aneta Grosu questions the validity and efficiency of these arrests in a broken justice system.   

CONSTRUCTION SITE: Chișinău is marking 100 days since Moldova’s leading oligarch, Vlad Plahotniuc, left the country and the government – the first time a figure so deeply involved in the political and economic life of the country has quit and not returned. And although the agreement between the Socialist Party and the ACUM Bloc is a marriage of convenience, it looks like the current government will remain in place. Since June, this coalition has embarked on widespread reforms, which experts believe could require at least a decade to implement. ZdG’s Executive Director Alina Radu analyzes Moldova’s transformation into a huge construction site, where all government sectors are being reformed with the aim of ensuring transparent, honest and proactive governance.

THE FOREIGN BRIEF

U.S. VISIT: Following a visit to the United States, Minister of Internal Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Andrei Năstase, announced that Moldova has the “full support” of the FBI so that “justice can be done” in the case of the stolen billion. The official visit on September 18 to 19 involved a high-profile Moldovan delegation, which included Prime Minister Maia Sandu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, the Minister of Finance, Natalia Gavrilița and the Prime Minister’s advisors on foreign affairs, security and defense. Moldova’s Prime Minister Sandu also met with American Vice President Mike Pence at the White House. 

E.U. OFFICIAL IN MOLDOVA: The European Commission’s Director General for European Neighbourhood Policy – Christian Danielsson – visited Chișinău on September 16, where he met with the Prime Minister Maia Sandu, the President Igor Dodon, as well as the Speaker of the Parliament, Zinaida Greceanîi. During the visit, Danielsson reaffirmed the E.U.’s commitment to supporting the reform effort led by Sandu’s Government. Among the topics for discussion during public events were Moldova’s Association Agreement, macro-financial assistance from the European Union, the Eastern Partnership, as well as new projects such as financing “the European Village” project. 

ECtHR CONDEMS MOLDOVA: On September 17, the European Court of Human Rights issued two judgments finding Moldova and Russia guilty of violating the right not to be subjected to torture and inhumane treatment, as well as the right to liberty and security in the cases of Ghennadi Negruta – who has been detained in the unrecognized Transnistria region for four years – and Oleg Filin, who has been in prison there for six years. The Court accused constitutional law institutions from Moldova of collaboration with representatives of the self-proclaimed Transnistrian region, who have no right to examine cases and apply criminal penalties. Now, Moldova and Russia have to collectively pay moral damages amounting to 15,000 euros in the Negruta case and 20,000 euros in the Filin case.

ZDG INVESTIGATES

RUSSIAN LAUNDROMAT: Three years have passed since 16 judges were detained after being accused of facilitating the laundering of $20 billion through Moldova’s courts, in a scheme known as the Russian Laundromat. In that time, the lawsuits have been transferred from one court to another – and no final sentence has been issued so far. Meanwhile, two of the judges have died, five judges have been suspended from their positions, nine resigned, while three became lawyers. ZdG breaks down the fate of the Russian Laundromat case in Moldova. 

NEW DETENTIONS: The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office and the National Anticorruption Center carried out 21 searches against people implicated in the Billion Case – leading to the detention of two deputies from the Shor faction, Marina Tauber and Reghina Apostolova, on September 16. The searches also targeted director of the Russian news portal Sputnik, Vladimir Novosadiuc. Both he and his partner, Rita Țvic, were mentioned in the Kroll Report. 

MOLDOVA IN WORLD NEWS

UNIVERSITY CORRUPTION: University education is in high demand in Moldova, as many are seeking the social status and prestige that a graduate degree brings. But according to scholar Alexander Mirtchev, underpaid faculty members may have no choice but to seek ways to supplement their income. And despite the fact that bribes are illegal, there is a double standard when it comes to “gifts.”  Find out more in this special op-ed on corruption in the Moldovan higher education system. 

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: The unprecedented coalition between the pro-Russian Socialist Party and pro-E.U. ACUM Bloc has revitalized Moldovan politics, but also set new expectations both at home and abroad. Will the coalition be able to rise to the challenge of meeting the expectations of society and international partners? The hosts of the Talk Eastern Europe podcast ask Freedom House expert Gina Lentine. 

DODON-IZATION? As President Igor Dodon continues his attacks on the international owners of the Chişinău Airport, his allies and business partners are drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Maia Sandu appears to be standing by, despite the fact that the Moldovan Government claims to be attempting de-oligarchization. This has bne Intellinews asking, are we really seeing “Dodon-ization”? 

SPOTTED THIS WEEK

E.U. – MOLDOVA RAILWAY: During her visit to Chișinău, French Secretary of State Amélie de Montchalin announced financial support for the rehabilitation and modernization of the Chișinău–Ungheni Railway Line, which connects Moldova to Romania and the E.U. The support will be offered through a financial loan under preferential conditions for infrastructure development. “This project is a strategic one for our country and will substantially improve the connection of the Moldovan railway network to the Romanian and European ones,” said Moldova’s Minister of Economy, Vadim Brînzan. 

U.K. AMBASSADOR: On September 20, the newly appointed U.K. Ambassador to Moldova, Steven Fisher, hosted a graduation reception for a course offered by the U.K. Ministry of Defence. The Ambassador was joined by Squadron Leader Rob Hall, the U.K.’s Defence Attaché, Moldova’s Defence Minister Pavel Voicu, as well as other Moldovan officials. Guests enjoyed traditional Moldovan music, delicious food and, of course, some equally delicious Moldovan wine. The course provided an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral defence relationship between the U.K. and Moldova, as well as with other regional partners.

U.S. AMBASSADOR: On September 16, the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, Dereck J. Hogan, held a public discussion with students from the Law Faculty at Moldova’s State University. During the discussion, the ambassador spoke about justice reform, transparency and bringing in a Prosecutor General from abroad. When asked about the relationship between oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc and the United States, the U.S. Ambassador assured the audience that there was no connection between himself and the former leader of the Democratic Party.
 

Thank you for your continued interest!  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!