Speaker about possible resignations at Interior Ministry

Speaker Igor Grosu says he does not see any grounds for the resignation of the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, namely Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin and the head of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, following the corruption scandal at Botanica Police Inspectorate in Chișinău, after which six police officers suspected of taking bribes were detained.

He believes that the authorities must insist that every institution do its job properly and put in more effort. At the same time, he rejected the criticism from the opposition, emphasizing that the General Police Inspectorate contributed to the conduct of well-prepared and documented operations to investigate corruption cases and serious crimes.

"Our opposition has a cognitive crisis when they criticize our authorities for not taking sufficient measures to combat corruption and other reprehensible crimes, and then, when measures are taken — and I remind you that the latest operation, which took time to be prepared, documented, and carried out, was conducted with the cooperation of the GPI — the opposition should appreciate it. What we want is that the institutions must work, must do their job, and bring everyone before the law, whether they are from within the system or outside it. I do not see reasons for resignations; we will continue to demand more work and dedication," Igor Grosu declared.

On 21 April, the head of the anti-drug division of Botanica Police Inspectorate and five of his subordinates were detained in a corruption case that also involves drug trafficking. They were suspended from their duties for the duration of the investigation. Law enforcement officers carried out approximately 30 searches in Chișinău, during which they seized documents relevant to the criminal case, as well as prohibited items that are to be examined by experts.

According to the National Anticorruption Center, the investigation was initiated after information emerged that the police officers allegedly demanded between 3,000 and 10,000 dollars in order not to document cases of trafficking and consumption of psychotropic substances. Prosecutors are requesting 30 days of pre-trial detention for the suspects.