Moldovan Parliament approves stricter penalties for judicial harassment and courtroom violence
The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova passed a draft law in its first reading on February 19, introducing harsher criminal and administrative sanctions for individuals who threaten or assault members of the judiciary.
The initiative, proposed by the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), aims to curb a rising wave of physical and digital intimidation targeting court officials.
Prison terms for threats and violence
Under the new amendments to the Criminal Code, verbal threats against judges or their families will carry fines of up to €3,570 (approx. 70,000 MDL) or up to 3 years of imprisonment.
For acts of violence resulting in property damage or significant material loss, the legislation mandates stricter prison sentences ranging from 5 to 8 years.
Stricter courtroom discipline
The reform also updates the Contraventional Code to address "contempt of court." Intentional insults or aggressive gestures toward magistrates can now lead to 10 days of detention or fines up to €305 (approx. 6,000 MDL).
Furthermore, unauthorized filming during court proceedings will be strictly prohibited, carrying a penalty of approximately €255 (5,000 MDL) to ensure the integrity of the judicial process.
Addressing a cycle of aggression
MP Igor Talmazan (PAS) noted that judges have faced increasing face-to-face and online harassment, citing a recent January 29 incident where a judge in Chișinău was physically assaulted during a hearing.
The legislation revives protections removed in 2002, which lawmakers now admit was an "ineffective policy" that left the judiciary vulnerable to systemic pressure.
Balancing security with public criticism
During the debates, MP Dinu Plîngău emphasized that while violence is unacceptable, the law must not stifle the public's right to criticize the performance of state officials.
Plîngău suggested that prosecutors should also be included under these protections in the second reading, while ensuring the definitions of "contempt" do not infringe on democratic transparency.
The amendments will enter into full legal force once they are passed in the second reading and published in the Official Gazette.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
