Anti-Corruption College launches in Moldova's judiciary
Moldova is setting up a specialized anti-corruption framework within its judicial system. Specifically, an Anti-Corruption College will be established within the Chișinău Court.
It will be responsible for examining criminal cases involving high-level corruption, the confiscation of unjustified assets, and rulings issued by the National Integrity Authority (NIA). Concurrently, specialized panels will operate at the Central Court of Appeal, hearing appeals and challenges to the judgments issued by the college.
Under the new regulations, the college will have primary jurisdiction to hear criminal cases involving individuals appointed by Parliament, the President, or the Government; high-ranking public officials; employees of the National Anti-Corruption Centre; and deputy directors of institutions such as the State Tax Service, Customs Service, or Public Procurement Agency.
The Anti-Corruption College will also examine cases where the money or other benefits involved in corrupt acts exceed 500,000 lei, or if the resulting damages exceed 5 million lei.
This new body will operate from a separate location in Chișinău and will be led by the Vice-President of the Chișinău Court. In total, 15 judges will serve within the college. At the Central Court of Appeal, two specialized panels have been set up, each comprising three magistrates.
The draft law proposing the establishment of these structures was passed in its second reading by 56 MPs. The document was refined during its parliamentary review, incorporating recommendations from the Venice Commission and various stakeholders.
The normative act also includes provisions for the selection, appointment, and social and security guarantees for judges involved in examining corruption cases. The law will take effect one month after its publication in the Official Monitor, with the exception of certain provisions.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
