State paid for exhumation and expertise in case of Ludmila Vartic, not the independent expert, General Inspectorate of Police
The exhumation procedure for Ludmila Vartic, along with the related forensic expertise, has already been funded by the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP). However, the IGP will not cover the expenses for the international expert from Romania selected by the family's lawyers. This clarification was provided by the IGP after the family's lawyer announced that the criminal investigation body had officially refused to finance the independent expert, citing an ordinance issued on April 29, 2026. The lawyer considers this decision contradictory to the Police's previous public statements.
The police stated that, since April 17, they have provided the victim's lawyer with an official response outlining the procedural and financial aspects involved.
"The exhumation procedure and the subsequent forensic examination have already been fully funded by the General Inspectorate of Police, in accordance with the commitments previously established under current legislation," the institution reports.
Concerning the independent expert chosen by the victim's lawyers, the IGP asserts that requests for assistance with the expert's individual activities, including travel and accommodation expenses, "cannot be covered by the police, as they do not comply with the applicable legal framework related to public procurement."
Furthermore, the IGP stresses that the family’s legal representative has the right to submit a request to be recognized as a civil party in the criminal trial. All related expenses can be claimed and assessed within the judicial process, in accordance with the law.
We would like to remind you that Ludmila Vartic, a 38-year-old mother of two and a teacher by profession, was found deceased near an apartment block in the Râșcani sector in Chisinau in early March. Preliminary reports indicate that she fell from a height and left a suicide note. A forensic examination revealed no signs of violence on her body.
The case has elicited significant public reaction, prompting several women's rights organisations to call for a thorough investigation, including scrutiny of the actions taken by responsible institutions. Additionally, claims surfaced on social media suggesting that Ludmila had been assaulted by her husband.
Initially, the General Inspectorate of Police initiated two criminal investigations: one in Chișinău concerning Ludmila's death and another in Hâncești looking into the circumstances of her life with her husband, Dumitru Vartic. Subsequently, these cases were merged and are now being investigated in Chișinău.
We remind you that shortly after the case gained public attention, Dumitru Vartic resigned as vice-president of the Hâncești District Council and was expelled from the Action and Solidarity Party. He has denied the allegations of domestic violence, asserting that the tragedy was preceded by significant health issues and depressive episodes experienced by his wife.
