President comments on resignations in justice system

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu commented on the recent wave of resignations in the justice system, emphasizing that these departures do not signal a collapse but represent a natural step in the process of cleaning and reforming institutions.


"Every time an institution is notified about the start of an extraordinary external evaluation process, we see a number of people leaving. We can speculate that some do not want their assets checked, but there are probably also people who, for other reasons, do not want to go through this process. It is not a collapse – we want certainty that in courts and prosecution there are honest people," the head of state stated to Cinema1.


The comment comes in the context where 17 prosecutors from the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) resigned amid the triggering of an external evaluation of this structure. Meanwhile, in recent months, several judges, including from the Supreme Court of Justice, have announced their departure from the system.


"When we started the cleaning process, it was clear that some people would leave. Almost a third of judges have left in the last three years. Now the next stage follows – to bring in young people and have a new wave," Maia Sandu added.


Referring to the appointment of new interim general prosecutor Alexandru Machidon, appointed after the departure of Ion Munteanu to the Supreme Court of Justice, the head of state declared that expectations are clear:


"We expect firmer actions in combating corruption and abuses. We want to feel safe, and justice to be served."


Maia Sandu also encouraged young graduates of the National Institute of Justice, urging them to become honest prosecutors and judges:


"We greatly need heroes in the justice system. I urged them to draw inspiration from the best international models. It's time to build a system based on professionalism and integrity."