Electronic monitoring of domestic abusers to be strengthened: Moldova's National Probation Inspectorate to receive 200 new bracelets, 2027 budget to be doubled

The National Probation Inspectorate (INP) will receive 200 new electronic monitoring bracelets for domestic abusers, while the government will double the budget for 2027 and allocate an additional 4 million lei. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan today made statements to this effect, who ordered a set of urgent measures which authorities are to implement following the tragic case in Magdacesti, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said that the tragedy in Magdacesti had shaken the entire country. According to him, a crime committed by an aggressor who was subject to a protection order with electronic monitoring was serious and required urgent action by the state.

In this case, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan convened a meeting with the responsible institutions, including the Interior Ministry, the Justice Ministry, the Labour and Social Protection Ministry and the National Agency for Combating Violence, in order to develop urgent measures. Following the meeting, the prime minister announced five urgent measures that will be implemented to prevent similar cases in the long run.

The first measure is the introduction of a border alert, so that the Border Police will be notified about the aggressor, while the probation authorities will know in real time when the aggressor leaves and re-enters the country.

In addition, the General Police Inspectorate (IGP) will be given access to the monitoring platform. Two institutions, the IGP and the IPN, will monitor alerts in parallel, including the potential approach of the aggressor to the victim.

Penalties will also be tightened through amendments to the Criminal Code. Specifically, a provision will be introduced, whereby violations of a restraining order issued by the police, as well as of a protection order issued by a court will be punishable as a criminal offense rather than merely as an administrative offense.

“We must acknowledge that resources are also a major issue. On September 8, the Probation Inspectorate will receive 200 new bracelets, and for 2027, we will double the budget and allocate an additional 4 million lei,” Vasile Tofan said.

At the same time, the authorities will improve the prevention mechanism, by informing the victim and providing the necessary support if the aggressor’s monitoring signal is lost.

Statistics data shows that, since 2021 to the present, more than 7,000 victims of domestic violence have been protected through the electronic monitoring system, while 4,480 aggressors have been monitored. Presently, 190 domestic abusers are being monitored electronically.

The tragedy in Magdacesti occurred on August 31. A 47-year-old man fatally shot his 42-year-old wife and then allegedly committed suicide. The woman was under protection, while the aggressor was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet. The device was not found on him at the scene of the tragedy. In this case, the Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case and the head of the National Probation Inspectorate (NPI) resigned.