The mother of former Socialist President Igor Dodon, Galina Dodon, who was scheduled to be heard on Friday, July 15, for complicity in the crime of illicit enrichment, was unable to attend the National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA), so the hearings were postponed. According to Mariana Cherpec, spokeswoman for the Prosecutor General’s Office, the reason given by the defence was the state of health of the former head of state’s mother.

“The date and time of the hearing will be decided depending on the evolution of the state of health,” Mariana Cherpec said.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Moldova (PG) came with a reaction on Wednesday, July 13, after the Party of Socialists of Moldova (PSRM) launched several accusations in connection with the summoning to the Prosecutor General’s Office of the mother of former President Igor Dodon, suspected of passive corruption, accepting the financing of the political party by a criminal organization, treason against the Fatherland and illicit enrichment.

According to prosecutors, some of the former head of state’s relatives are being investigated for complicity in the offence of illicit enrichment.

As a result of searches carried out at the homes of these persons, according to the PG, goods, money and documents allegedly used in the commission of the crime or resulting from these acts were found and seized.

“As a result of the searches at the home of the mother of the former president, funds in the amount of 689 600.00 lei (around 35,000 euro); 17 005.00 euros and 1000.00 US dollars were found and seized from the safe, the origin of which is to be investigated. The sum of 17 005.00 euros, found at the home of the accused’s mother, was found in a paper envelope bearing the logo of a political party to which the former president belonged.

Therefore, in connection with the above-mentioned factual circumstances, the anti-corruption prosecutors summoned the mother of the former head of state on 15 July 2022 to be charged with the offence of complicity in illicit enrichment. In the context of the above, we consider it necessary to inform citizens about the real state of affairs when conducting the criminal proceedings on this criminal case, in order to exclude any insinuations and manipulation of public opinion.

At the same time, we would like to point out that every person who agrees with the change in the justice system in the Republic of Moldova understands that the law is the same for everyone, regardless of the position held or family connections. The rule “The law is one for all!” is a norm in a state that considers itself democratic and has aspirations to progress. The summoning and hearing of persons is a common tool made available to prosecutors and officers by the provisions of the criminal procedure law. Moreover, these procedures do not infringe on the rights and freedoms of individuals, but are intended to give witnesses the opportunity to relate what they know in connection with the facts under investigation, and for the accused persons, this procedure provides and ensures the effective realization of the right of defense,” the PG announced.

On Wednesday, July 13, PSRM representatives published an information note in which they expressed their “deep indignation” over the summoning to the Prosecutor’s Office of the mother of former Moldovan President Igor Dodon and accused that Dodon’s file “was opened on order”.

“This is a despicable and inhuman step even for a government as unprincipled as the PAS regime. The persecution of family members of the former head of state proves once again that the case against Igor Dodon was opened on command. The ultimate goal of these actions is to put pressure on the Party of Socialists – the real opposition force fighting the ruling regime, to clear the political ground and establish an authoritarian PAS dictatorship (…),” the statement reads.

Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon is currently under house arrest. Dodon was detained on 24 May after anti-corruption prosecutors carried out ten raids for more than ten hours at several locations owned by Dodon and his relatives.