Head of State on domestic violence and Ludmila Vartic case: We need justice, not speculation

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu commented on Ludmila Vartic case and the broader problem of domestic violence at a TV show, emphasizing the need for a responsible response from institutions and society, as well as the importance of respecting legal procedures.

The head of state described violence against women as a serious and persistent problem in the Republic of Moldova, which requires constant effort from the entire society.

“Violence against women is a serious problem in the Republic of Moldova and I said this even before the Ludmila Vartic case happened, and I keep saying it. It is a problem that we can reduce only through a constant, permanent and comprehensive effort of society,” the president said. Maia Sandu highlighted the role of state institutions and education in preventing such phenomena.

“Obviously, state institutions have a major responsibility here, starting from schools and kindergartens, in terms of how we educate children. The main responsibility lies with parents, but unfortunately there are many families in which violence exists, and children must be helped not to repeat these patterns,” the head of state noted. Referring to the Ludmila Vartic case, the president insisted on the need for a fair investigation without interference. “My message to state institutions remains the same: to do their job with maximum responsibility and in strict accordance with the law. Where errors or abuses have been committed, they must be sanctioned and justice must be done. It is essential to ensure clarity and justice in this case,” Maia Sandu stressed. The head of state also drew attention to the way society reacts to such tragedies, warning about the risk of disinformation: “It is clear why we have such an emotional reaction, but it is very important not to operate with false information, not to stigmatize and to be properly informed. There are also people who are trying to use this case for their own interests.” Maia Sandu rejected any suspicion of an institutional cover-up: “There is no attempt on the part of my colleagues or central-level institutions to cover up this case. Things must be done absolutely correctly, without any interference, and the law must be applied strictly.” At the same time, the president underlined the importance of evidence and respect for the legal framework in such sensitive cases: “We must follow procedures, rely on evidence and on the truth, not on assumptions. Society does not have access to all the data and cannot issue verdicts.” Commenting on public pressure and expectations regarding the reaction of the authorities, Maia Sandu explained the institutional approach: “I made an appeal to the institutions to do their job properly and to society to pay attention to what is happening around us, but beyond that we must wait for what the justice system will say.”

The head of state also pointed to a side effect of excessive media coverage of cases of violence: discouraging victims from seeking help: “We have not answered the question of why a woman would want to ask for help knowing the risk that the whole country will know details about her. I believe that for some women this situation may be one that discourages them from speaking out.”

The president’s statements come in the context in which the Ludmila Vartic case has generated intense public debate regarding domestic violence, the responsibility of institutions, and the way such sensitive situations are reported to the public.