Press releases

Resumed evaluation concluded for judge Marina Rusu, candidate for CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Marina Rusu, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The Commission decided that the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the ethical integrity criterion. The decision was sent today to the judge Marina Rusu and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. Judge Marina Rusu was interviewed in a public hearing within the resumed evaluation on 28 June 2024. By the decisions of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) of 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024, the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors was ordered. On 4 July 2024, the SCJ ordered a repeated re-evaluation of a candidate for membership in the SCM. After...

Clarifications regarding the candidate’s evaluation materials

In view of recent legislative amendments regarding the pre-vetting process, the Independent Commission for Evaluating Integrity of Candidates for Members of Self-governing Bodies of Judges and Prosecutors” (hereinafter “Commission”) has issued the following clarifications regarding the management of information collected during the evaluation process.   All candidates evaluated under Law No. 26/2022 have the right to access the evaluation materials prior to the hearing or in the context of challenging the Commission’s decision. Initially, the Commission included all relevant materials in the evaluation materials file shared with the candidate. Following the instructions from the Supreme Court of Justice in the context of the appeals proceedings regarding the Commission’s decisions, the Commission changed its practice and since August 2023 includes all materials collected during the evaluation process in the candidate’s evaluation file. In all appeals of the Commission’s decisions (initial or resumed evaluation decisions), a copy of the candidate’s evaluation file has been provided to the candidate and the Supreme Court of Justice.   All evaluation materials are kept by the Commission in electronic format. Paper documents are scanned and digitalized, and included in the candidate’s evaluation file. A paper copy of evaluation materials is provided to the candidate, upon request, and, in case...

Pre-Vetting Commission resumes the evaluation process for the candidate Ecaterina BUZU following the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice

The Evaluation Commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors (Pre-Vetting Commission) announces the commencement, as of 25 September 2024, of the resumed evaluation for the candidate for the position of member to the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), judge Ecaterina BUZU, following the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) that upheld the candidate’s appeal and ordered the reevaluation. The Pre-Vetting Commission has notified today the judge Ecaterina Buzu regarding the start of the resumed evaluation procedure, based on art. 14 para. (10) of Law No. 26/2022 and the SCJ decision of 4 July 2024. Throughout the resumed evaluation, the Pre-Vetting Commission will continue to adhere to the requirements of Law No. 26/2022, applicable to the selection of candidates for positions in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, as well as the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.

Resumed evaluation concluded for judge Alexei Paniș, candidate for CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Alexei Paniș, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as he does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. Judge Alexei Paniș was interviewed in a public hearing within the resumed evaluation on 16 April 2024 and 7 June 2024. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 20 candidates. Out of them, one candidate...

Pre-Vetting Commission concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Vladislav Holban, candidate for CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Vladislav Holban, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. Judge Vladislav Holban did not request a public hearing. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 19 candidates. Out of them, one candidate passed, 17 candidates failed (including three candidates on the grounds of...

Finalized evaluation for judge Veronica Cupcea, candidate for CSM and CSM Board for the selection and evaluation of judges

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Veronica Cupcea, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) and the Board for the selection and evaluation of judges. According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. Judge Veronica Cupcea was interviewed in a public hearing within the resumed evaluation on 14 March 2024. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of...

ANOUNCEMENT

On Friday, June 28, 2024, at 3:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the repeated hearing of judge Marina RUSU, a candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy. The interview will be public and conducted online via the ZOOM platform.   The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, as mandated by the Supreme Court of Justice that admitted the judge's appeal. Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the email address secretariat@vettingmd.com  by Friday, June 28, 2024, 1:00 PM, to receive the link for connecting to the session. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided.  IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take pictures, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission members. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the ZOOM meeting. After the conclusion of the hearing, video recordings in Romanian and English will be published on the Commission's website www.vetting.md and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting 

Pre-Vetting Commission concluded the resumed evaluation of Ion Chirtoacă, candidate for CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Ion Chirtoacă, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate was interviewed in a public hearing within the resumed evaluation on 13 March 2024. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 17 candidates. Out of them, one candidate passed, 16 candidates failed...

Pre-Vetting Commission concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Sergiu Osoianu, candidate for CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Sergiu Osoianu, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate did not request a public hearing within the resumed evaluation. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 16 candidates. Out of them, one candidate passed, 14 candidates failed (including three candidates on...

The Pre-Vetting Commission will hear repeatedly the judge Alexei PANIȘ, candidate for SCM under the resumed evaluation

On Friday, June 7, 2024, at 4:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the repeated hearing of judge Alexei PANIȘ,  a candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The interview will be public and conducted online via the ZOOM platform. The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, as mandated by the Supreme Court of Justice that admited its appeal. Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the email address secretariat@vettingmd.com by Friday, June 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM, to receive the link for connecting to the session. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided mandatory. IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take photographs, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission members. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the ZOOM meeting. After the conclusion of the hearing, video recordings in Romanian and English will be published on the Commission's website www.vetting.md and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting 

Resumed evaluation concluded for judge Aureliu Postică, candidate for CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Aureliu Postică, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate was interviewed in a public hearing within the resumed evaluation on 20 March 2024. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 15 candidates. Out of them, one candidate passed, 13 candidates failed...

The Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Nicolae Șova, candidate to CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Nicolae Șova, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate did not request a public hearing. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 14 candidates. Out of them, one candidate passed, 12 candidates failed (including three candidates on the grounds of withdrawal...

Public statement relating to the resignation of Commission’s member Tatiana Răducanu

The Pre-Vetting Commission has taken note of recent public statements issued by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office relating to Tatiana Răducanu, member of the Commission. The Pre-Vetting Commission has also taken note of the intention expressed by Tatiana Răducanu to resign from her position as member of the Commission, in light of these statements. It is for the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova to decide upon the request for resignation of Tatiana Răducanu. The Pre-Vetting Commission expresses its hope and expectation that the allegations brought against Tatiana Răducanu will be thoroughly investigated by competent national authorities in full compliance with due process principles, including the presumption of innocence, as laid down in Moldovan law and international human rights standards. The Pre-Vetting Commission will continue its work and will finalise ongoing resumed evaluation proceedings within the shortest time possible, in conformity with its mandate as provided by Law No. 26/2022.

Judge Mihail Bușuleac, candidate for CSM, requested the termination of the resumed evaluation procedure.

The Pre-Vetting Commission issued a decision of failing the evaluation of the judge Mihail Bușuleac, candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), who was undergoing re-evaluation, after receiving the candidate’s request to withdraw from the competition. Mihail Bușuleac informed the Commission about his withdrawal and requested for the termination of the resumed evaluation procedure in respect of him.  The Commission's decision was issued in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 26/2022, art. 13 para. (1), which states that the withdrawal of a candidate from the competition is equivalent to failing the evaluation, irrespective of the reason given by the candidate. Mihail Bușuleac is to notify the Commission whether he accepts or opposes the publication of the decision.  Mihail Bușuleac was on the list of judicial candidates proposed by CSM for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy in April 2022. By the Decision no. 13 of 6 January 2024, the Commission decided that the candidate failed the evaluation. Candidate Bușuleac challenged the decision of Commission to the Supreme Court of Justice, that ordered the re-evaluation of the candidate.   

Rehearing of SCM candidate Mihail Busculeac

𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄   Judge Mihail BUȘULEAC has informed the Evaluation Commission of his withdrawal from the competition for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy. Consequently, the public hearing of the candidate within the resumed evaluation, scheduled for April 30, 2024, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞.   **** On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 3:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the repeated hearing of judge Mihail BUȘULEAC,  a candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy. The interview will be public and conducted online via the ZOOM platform.   The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, as mandated by the Supreme Court of Justice that admitted his appeal.  Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the email secretariat@vettingmd.com by Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 12:00 AM, to receive the ZOOM meeting link. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided.  IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take pictures, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission members. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from...

ANOUNCEMENT concerning the scheduling of a hearing

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 3:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the repeated hearing of judge Alexei PANIȘ, a candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy. The interview will be public and conducted online via the ZOOM platform.   The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, as mandated by the Supreme Court of Justice that admitted his appeal.  Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the email address secretariat@vettingmd.com by Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 12:00 AM, to receive the link for connecting to the session. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided.  IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take pictures, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission members. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the ZOOM meeting.  After the conclusion of the hearing, video recordings in Romanian and English will be published on the Commission's website www.vetting.md and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting 

Resumed evaluation of judge Vitalie Stratan, candidate to SCM, completed

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Vitalie Stratan, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest.  The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the consent of candidate, who has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If not such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate did not request a public hearing. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 12 candidates. Out of them, one candidate passed, ten candidates failed (including two candidates on the grounds of withdrawal...

Press statement regarding unfounded allegations concerning the Chairperson of the Commission

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐯𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐥.   From 2013 to 2018, Herman von Hebel served as Registrar of the International Criminal Court. At the request of the states that are party to the ICC Statute, he undertook in 2014 - 2015 a reorganization of the Registry to address serious deficiencies in its functioning. According to a 2016 external audit report, the reorganization was justified and allowed for an improved functioning of the Registry. Since 2020, Herman von Hebel serves occasionally as a judge at a Dutch Court of Appeal in criminal cases. Since he started his function as Chair of the Pre-Vetting Commission in April 2022, Herman von Hebel has sat in total for five days at the Court of Appeal. In 2019 - 2020, Herman von Hebel served as a rule of law expert in Albania, and has not been involved in the vetting of Albanian judges and prosecutors.   𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 • Herman von Hebel has had the unique opportunity and privilege to function as Registrar in three international criminal tribunals during the years 2006-2018, being appointed by the Secretary-General of the United...

The Pre-Vetting Commission will hear another candidate for SCM under the resumed evaluation

On Wednesday, March 20, at 3:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the repeated hearing of judge Aureliu POSTICĂ, a candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy. The interview will be public and conducted online via the ZOOM platform. The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, as mandated by the Supreme Court of Justice that admited its appeal. Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the email address secretariat@vetting.md by Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM, to receive the link for connecting to the session. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided mandatory. IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take photographs, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission members. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the ZOOM meeting. After the conclusion of the hearing, video recordings in Romanian and English will be published on the Commission's website www.vetting.md and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting.

Statement of public interest

The Commission provides the following statement in response to inquiries from multiple journalists regarding a Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) candidate's parents being heard in the context of the resumed evaluation process. The Pre-Vetting Commission’s activity is strictly conducted according to Law No. 26/2022. The hearings are public except decided as closed, and the decisions are published if the candidate agrees. SCM candidate Ion Chirtoacă’s hearing in resumed evaluation took place on 14 March 2024, online, at the request of candidate, who also requested the Commission to hear his parents. The Commission did not hear his parents during the initial evaluation, a fact that was raised by the candidate before the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ). In its decision of 1 August 2023 regarding candidate Chirtoacă, which annulled the Commission’s decision and ordered the re-evaluation of the candidate, the SCJ special panel criticized the Commission for not having had heard the candidate’s parents during the initial evaluation. 

The Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Ecaterina Buzu, candidate to CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Ecaterina Buzu, a judicial candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial integrity criterion. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be made public only with the candidate’s consent. Ecaterina Buzu has 48 hours to inform the Commission if she agrees or opposes publication of the decision. If not such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate was interviewed in a public hearing on 22 December 2023. After the issuance of the Supreme Court of Justice’s decisions on 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded/terminated the re-evaluation of 11 candidates. Out of them, one candidate passed, nine candidates failed (including two candidates on the grounds...

Pre-Vetting Commission resumes the evaluation process of judge Marina Rusu, following the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice

The Evaluation Commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors (Pre-Vetting Commission) announces the launch of the resumed evaluation of judge Marina Rusu, candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), after the Supreme Court of Justice (SJC) upheld the appeal of candidate by its decision of 29 January 2024. The Pre-Vetting Commission has notified today the candidate Marina Rusu about the launch of the resumed evaluation, based on Article 14 paragraph (10) of Law No. 26/2022 and the SCJ conclusions. After the issuance of the SCJ decisions of 1 August 2023 and 29 January 2024 ordering the re-evaluation of 22 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Superior Council of Prosecutors, so far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has finalised/terminated the re-evaluation of 10 candidates.

Attorney-at-law Alexandru Rotari failed the resumed evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that has completed the resumed evaluation of Alexandru Rotari, a non-judicial candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the institution responsible for organizing the contest. The decision on the resumed evaluation of Alexandru Rotari will not be made public, because the candidate opposed to its publication. The resumed evaluation of candidate Alexandru Rotari started after, on 1 August 2023, the Supreme Court of Justice, annulled several of the Commission’s decisions and ordered the re-evaluation of 21 candidates. The candidate refused to participate in a public hearing during the resumed evaluation process, and the Commission evaluated him on the basis of the information collected by the Commission and provided by the candidate. Out of the 21 candidates re-evaluated following the SCJ decisions of August 1, 2023, one candidate passed the resumed evaluation, five failed, two candidates withdrew from the competition during the re-evaluation process and in one case the Commission terminated the resumed evaluation. Currently the Commission is...

Pre-Vetting Commission terminated the resumed evaluation of former judge Stanislav Sorbalo

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that had terminated the resumed evaluation of former judge Stanislav Sorbalo, a judicial candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) and the Disciplinary Board of Judges of the SCM. According to the Commission, after the candidate’s termination as judge, as of 24 October 2023, he no longer qualifies as a judicial candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy or the Disciplinary Board of Judges. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the contest.  The decision on Stanislav Sorbalo's candidacy will be published only with candidate’s consent. Stanislav Sorbalo has 48 hours to inform the Commission if he agrees or opposes the publication. In the absence of notification, the decision will be posted on the Commission's website, in a depersonalised form, in Romanian and English.   The resumed evaluation of candidate Stanislav Sorbalo started after, on 1 August 2023, the Supreme Court of Justice, annulled several of the Commission’s decisions and ordered the re-evaluation of 21 candidates. Currently, the Commission is re-evaluating 12 candidates for membership in the SCM. 

A resumed evaluation completed for another candidate to the SCM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that has completed the resumed evaluation of Tatiana Chiriac, a non-judicial candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the institution responsible for organizing the contest.  The decision on the resumed evaluation will be published only with the candidate’s consent. Tatiana Chiriac has 48 hours to inform the Commission is she agrees or opposes the publication of the decision. If not such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate was publicly heard on 28 November 2023.  Non-judicial candidate Tatiana Chiriac was re-evaluated after the Supreme Court of Justice, on 1 August 2023, annulled several of the Commission’s decisions and ordered the re-evaluation of the candidates. Out of the 21 re-evaluated candidates, one candidate passed the resumed evaluation, five failed and two candidates withdrew from the competition during the resumed evaluation process. Currently the Commission is re-evaluating 13 candidates for positions...

The Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded the resumed evaluation of judge Angela Bostan, candidate to SCM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the finalization of the resumed evaluation of judge Angela Bostan, candidate for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate failed the resumed evaluation, as the candidate does not meet the financial integrity criterion. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the competition. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be published only with the candidate’s consent. Angela Bostan Miron has 48 hours to inform the Commission is she agrees or opposes the publication of the decision. If no such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission’s website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate was not publicly heard on November 23, 2023. Judge Angela Bostan was re-evaluated after the Supreme Court of Justice, on 1 August 2023, annulled several of the Commission’s decisions and ordered the re-evaluation of the candidates. Out of the 21 re-evaluated candidates, one candidate passed the resumed evaluation, four failed and two candidates withdrew from the competition during the resumed evaluation process. Currently the Commission is re-evaluating 14 candidates for positions of member in the...

The non-judge candidate for the SCM, Valentin Caisîn, requested the cessation of the resumed evaluation procedure resumed in his case

The Pre-Vetting Commission issued a decision of failing the evaluation of Valentin Caisîn, candidate for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), who was undergoing reevaluation, after receiving the candidate’s request to withdraw from the competition. Valentin Caisîn informed the Commission and the Parliament, as the organizer of the competition, about his withdrawal and requested for the termination of the resumed evaluation procedure in respect of him. The Commission's decision was issued in accordance with the provisions of Law no. 26/2022, art. 13 para. (1), which states that the withdrawal of a candidate from the competition is equivalent to failing the evaluation, irrespective of the reason given by the candidate. Valentin Caisîn is to notify the Commission whether he accepts or refuses the publication of the decision. Valentin Caisîn was on the list of non-judge candidates proposed by Parliament for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy in June 2022. By the Decision no. 28 of 21 March 2023, the Commission decided that the candidate failed the evaluation. Candidate Caisin challenged the decision of Commission to the Supreme Court of Justice, that ordered the re-evaluation of the candidate.

The Government’s candidate for the SCP has passed the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the result of the evaluation regarding the candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Prosecutors from among civil society representatives, Mihail Sorbala. According to the Commission, the candidate meets the criteria of financial and ethical integrity, thus passing the evaluation. The passing decision was sent today to the candidate and the Government, which is the institution responsible for organizing the competition in this case. Mihail Sorbala is to notify the Commission whether he accepts or opposes the publication of the decision within 48 hours of receipt, according to the provisions of Law no. 26/2022. The decision will be posted on the website of the Commission, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English, only with the consent of the candidate. The decisions of the Evaluation Commission may be appealed within 5 days from the date of receipt, without following the preliminary procedure. Mihail Sorbala is an associate professor and Head of Department, Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), and was on the list of candidates submitted by the Government of the Republic of Moldova to the Commission on 15 August 2023, for evaluation for the position of member of the Superior Council of Prosecutors.

ANNOUNCEMENT on the hearing of the SCP candidate Mihail Sorbala and the SCM candidate Ecaterina Buzu

On 20 and 22 December 2023, at 4:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the public hearings of the candidates: December 20, 2023, 4:00 PM - Dr. Mihail SORBALA, candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Prosecutors from among civil society representatives. December 22, 2023, 4:00 PM – judge Ecaterina BUZU, candidate for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy. The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, as mandated by the Supreme Court of Justice that admitted candidate’s appeal. Both interviews will be public and will be conducted online via the ZOOM platform. Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the e-mail address secretariat@vetting.md by Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 12:00 (for the hearing of December 20) and by Friday, 22 December 2023, 12:00 (for the hearing of December 22), to receive the link for connecting to the session. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided mandatory. IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take photographs, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission...

One SCM candidate has passed the resumed evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the finalization of the resumed evaluation of judge Aliona Miron, candidate for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the candidate has passed the resumed evaluation, in the sense that the candidate meets the ethical and financial criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and the SCM, the institution responsible for organizing the competition. The decision on the resumed evaluation will be published only with the candidate's consent. Aliona Miron has 48 hours to inform the Commission is she agrees or opposes the publication of the decision. If not such notification is sent to the Commission, the decision will be published on the Commission's website, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English. The candidate was not publicly heard in view of the fact that the Commission took a decision to pass the candidate, pursuant to art. 19 lit. c) of Rules of Procedure of the Commission. Judge Aliona Miron was re-evaluated after the Supreme Court of Justice, on 1 August 2023, annulled several of the Commission's decisions and ordered the re-evaluation of the candidates. Out of the 21 re-evaluated candidates, one candidate passed the resumed evaluation, three failed and one...

Three SCP candidates failed the resumed evaluation completed by the Pre-Vetting

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has completed the resumed evaluation of three candidates for position of member in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP) and has issued the decisions. The Commission concluded that the SCP candidates, Vitalie CODREANU, Cristina GLADCOV and Anatolie GÎRBU, failed the resumed evaluation. The Commission's decisions have been sent to the candidates and to the Superior Council of Prosecutors. The candidates are entitled to appeal the Commission’s decisions to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from their receipt. The decisions will be published on the Commission’s website only with the consent of the candidates. The Commission undertakes the resumed evaluation of the candidates in the context of a multi-faceted, comprehensive, and objective review, based on information available at the initial evaluation and any information obtained during the resumed evaluation. According to Law No. 180/2023 for the interpretation of certain provisions of Law No. 26/2022 regulating the extraordinary evaluation process, the Commission is not a public authority under the Administrative Code. The resumed evaluation process is guided by this law as this process took place after the entry into force of this law. During the resumed evaluation process, the Commission collects additional information, candidates may present...

ANOUNCEMENT on the hearing of SCM candidate Tatiana Chiriac

On Tuesday, November 28, at 4:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the repeated hearing of Tatiana CHIRIAC,  a candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy from the non-judicial candidates with professional experience in law or other relevant field. The interview will be public and conducted online via the ZOOM platform.   The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, ordered by the Supreme Court of Justice that admitted its appeal. Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the email address secretariat@vetting.md by Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM, to receive the link for connecting to the session. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided mandatory.  IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take photographs, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission members. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the ZOOM meeting.  After the conclusion of the hearing, video recordings in Romanian and English will be published on the Commission's website www.vetting.md and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting . 

ANOUNCEMENT on the hearing of SCM candidate Angela Bostan

On Thursday, November 23, at 4:00 PM, the Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct the repeated hearing of judge Angela Bostan from the Chișinău Court of Appeal, who is a candidate for the membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy. The interview will be public and conducted online via the ZOOM platform.   The hearing is part of the resumed evaluation procedure of the candidate, ordered by the Supreme Court of Justice that admitted its appeal.  Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at the email address secretariat@vetting.md by Thursday, November 23, 2023, at 10:00 AM, to receive the link for connecting to the session. In the notification, the name and surname of the participant as well as the organization she/he represents (if relevant) will be provided mandatory.  IMPORTANT: Throughout the hearing, participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be allowed to record videos, take photographs, or raise questions to the candidate or Commission members. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the ZOOM meeting.  After the conclusion of the hearing, video recordings in Romanian and English will be published on the Commission's website www.vetting.md and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting

Public interviews in the context of the resumed evaluation: Three SCP candidates will be interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the commencement of public hearings in the context of the resumed evaluation procedure, following the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) accepting the challenges of certain candidates for the position of members in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) and the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). Therefore, on November 1 and 2, 2023, three SCP candidates will be interviewed as follows: Anatolie Gîrbu: 4:00 PM (Wednesday, November 1) Cristina Gladcov: 2:00 PM (Thursday, November 2) Vitalie Codreanu: 4:00 PM (Thursday, November 2) The hearings will be public and will take place at the National Institute of Justice, Room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, corner of Serghei Lazo Street), and will be conducted in a hybrid format through the Zoom platform. Those wishing to participate are requested to notify the Commission's Secretariat in advance at secretariat@vetting.md by Wednesday, November 1, at 12:00 PM, in order to receive the link to connect to the session. Participants from civil society, the media, and the general public will not be able to ask questions to the candidates or the Commission members throughout the entire duration of the hearings. Additionally, recording, live streaming from the hearing room, and photography during the sessions...

Statement regarding the resignation of Commission member Vitalie Miron

The Pre-Vetting Commission has taken note of the resignation of one of its members, Vitalie Miron, on 6 October 2023. The Commission will continue its work in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 26/2022 on measures related to the selection of candidates for the positions of members in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, which explicitly grant the Commission the authority to continue its activity. The resignation of Vitalie Miron does not impede the Commission's ability to fulfill its responsibilities. In accordance with art. 11 para. (2) of Law No. 26/2022, meetings of the Commission will be held with the presence of at least 4 members. In accordance with art. 13 para. (3) of this Law, decisions of the Commission will be adopted by a majority vote of participating members.

Government candidate for SCP membership, Radu Mîrza, withdrew from competition

The Pre-Vetting Commission informs about the withdrawal from the competition of the Government's candidate for the position of member in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP) representing civil society, Radu Mîrza. The withdrawal has resulted in failing the evaluation by the candidate, in accordance with the provisions of Art. 13, para. (1) of Law No. 26/2022. The Commission's decision has been communicated to both candidate Radu Mîrza and the Government, the institution responsible for organizing the competition in this case. Information regarding the evaluation outcome has been published on the Commission's website. If the candidate does not notify the Commission of his refusal to publish the decision within the next 48 hours, the decision will be posted on Commission’s website in a depersonalized form. The candidate is entitled to appeal the  evaluation decision within 5 days from receiving it. According to Law No. 26/2022 on measures related to the selection of candidates for the positions of members in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, the withdrawal of a candidate from the competition after the institution in charge of organizing the elections or the competition, as appropriate, submit the lists of candidates to the Evaluation Commission, is equivalent to failing the evaluation...

Public statement related to SCM member, Iulian Muntean

Recent media reports have stated that Iulian Muntean, a candidate for the Superior Council of Magistracy who passed the pre-vetting evaluation on 14 August 2023 and was appointed by Parliament to the Superior Council of Magistracy on 7 September 2023, has been the defendant in criminal proceedings involving corruption since 2019. The Independent Evaluation Commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors (“Commission”) hereby provides the following information:At no time during the evaluation process was the Commission made aware of any criminal complaints, investigations or proceedings involving Iulian Muntean. The Commission collects information from numerous sources in order to assess the candidate’s financial and ethical integrity, including e.g. the National Anti-Corruption Center and the Security and Intelligence Service of Moldova. In information provided to the Commission no reference has been made to criminal investigations or charges regarding the candidate. It was publicly known that Iulian Muntean was on the list of candidates for the Superior Council of Magistracy.  Nothing prevented the National Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office or any other public institution or private individual from informing the Commission at that time of pending proceedings involving the candidate. The Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office...

The Pre-Vetting Commission initiates the integrity evaluation of civil society representatives selected by the Government for a position in the SCP

Two civil society representatives, chosen by the Government to fill a vacant position in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP), will undergo the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission in the coming period. These candidates are Radu MÎRZA, expert in justice, rule of law and human rights, and Mihail SORBALO, university lecturer in Public Law at the Faculty of Law at ULIM. Today, the Commission has provided the candidates with the 5-year Declaration form. The completed Declaration, along with any additional documents as required, should be returned to the Commission via email by September 20, 2023. The 5-year Declaration is a document that includes information on the candidates’ personal assets and interests, as well as the list of close persons in the judiciary, prosecution and public service, as stipulated in Article 9, paragraph (2) of Law no. 26/2022 on some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors. If the candidates were not previously subjects of declaration under Law No. 133/2016 shall complete declarations for each of the last five years (period 2018 - 2022) for which an annual declaration was not submitted. Upon receiving the declarations, the Pre-Vetting Commission...

Pre-Vetting Commission resumes evaluation process for 21 candidates following the findings of the Supreme Court of Justice

The Evaluation Commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors (Pre-Vetting Commission) announces the commencement of the resumed evaluation for 21 candidates to the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) and Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP), following the decisions of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) issued on 1st of August, 2023. The Pre-Vetting Commission has formally notified today the 21 candidates regarding the resumption of the evaluation procedure, based on Article 14 paragraph (10) of Law No. 26/2022 and the SCJ conclusions. Pursuant to the decisions of the Supreme Court of Justice and based on a thorough examination, the Evaluation Commission has introduced a number of amendments to its Rules of Procedure, specifically adjusted to meet the requirements of the new process. Thus, to address issues raised by the SCJ, as part of the resumed evaluation process, the Commission may collect additional information and send further questions and requests for documents to candidates. Candidates may also present additional evidence under certain circumstances. If issues concerning a candidate are not thereby resolved, the candidate will receive a statement of facts and serious doubts that remain pending. Candidates can respond in...

The last decisions on the evaluation of non-judge candidates to the SCM from group II submitted by the Parliament

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has concluded the evaluation of the second group of non-judicial candidates submitted by the Parliament for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) and has sent the last decisions. According to the Commission, candidate Leonid Chirtoaca met the integrity criteria and passed the evaluation. Candidate Nicolae Agachi did not meet the integrity criteria and thus failed the evaluation. Details of the outcome of the assessment are contained in the reasoned decisions, which will be disclosed only with the candidates’ consent. The two candidates shall notify the Commission whether they accept or object to the publication of the decisions within 48 hours. In the absence of notification, the decisions will be published on the Commission’s website in a depersonalized form, in both Romanian and English. According to the provisions of Law No 26/2022, any decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt. Out of nine candidates with professional experience in the field of law or in another relevant field, included in the list sent to the Commission by the Parliamentary Legal, Appointments and Immunities Committee on 5 May 2023, eight were subject to the complete evaluation process in order to...

One more SCM candidate, from among non-judges, passed the Pre-Vetting Commission evaluation

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the result of the evaluation regarding the candidate for the SCM membership, from among non-judges, Lucia Popescu. According to the Commission, the candidate meets the criteria of financial and ethical integrity, thus passing the evaluation. The passing decision was sent today to the candidate and the Parliament, which is the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case. Lucia Popescu is to notify the Commission whether or not she opposes the publication of the decision within 48 hours of receipt, according to the provisions of Law no. 26/2022. The decision will be posted on the website of the Commission, in a depersonalized form, in Romanian and English, only with the consent of the candidate. The decisions of the Evaluation Commission may be appealed within 5 days from the date of receipt, without following the preliminary procedure. Lucia Popescu is a candidate from the second group of non-judges, nominated by the Parliament for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), after being selected by the Legal, Appointments and Immunities Committee within a public competition. She was publicly interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission on July 19. Here is the video record of the interview https://youtu.be/SyM4iIanhQA Out...

The decisions of the Evaluation Commission regarding the integrity of five non-judge candidates to the CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the outcome of the evaluation of five non-judges from the second group of non-judicial candidates, nominated by the Parliament for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, Aliona Corcenco, Veaceslav Guțan, Vitalie Sîli and Iulian Muntean meet the criteria of financial and ethical integrity and pass the evaluation, while candidate Ana Tipa fails the evaluation. Detailed information about the evaluation is contained in the decisions sent today to the candidates and the institution responsible for organizing the elections or contest, in this case the Parliament. At this stage, the Commission is only entitled to communicate information on the outcome of the evaluation, as decisions can only be published with the consent of the candidates concerned. They shall notify the Commission whether or not they oppose the publication within 48 hours after the receipt of ng the decision, in accordance g to the Law No. 26/2022. Under the Evaluation Rules, the decisions in depersonalized form will be posted on the Commission's website in English and Romanian. Decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from the receipt, under the provisions of the same law. At the end...

Preliminary data on the extraordinary evaluation of SCM and SCP candidates after 90 % of the decisions were issued by the Pre-Vetting Commission

A total number of 67 candidates for positions in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors participated in the extraordinary evaluation process conducted by the Pre-Vetting Commission in order to establish their eligibility for becoming a member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) or the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). So far, the Commission completed the evaluation of 59 candidates out of 67: almost 90% of the decisions are issued, decisions on applicants from the last group of candidates to SCM, submitted by the Parliament remaining pending. The Commission assessed the financial and ethical integrity of: * 28 judges; * 17 prosecutors; * 22 representatives of civil society with professional experience in the field of law or other relevant field, as follows: 21 non-judge candidates to SCM, submitted by the Parliament on 9 July 2022 and 5 May 2023 and one non-prosecutor candidate, proposed by the Academy of Sciences to the position of member of the SCP. Out of a total of 67 candidates, 36% (24 candidates) were women and 64% (43 candidates) were men. Out of the total of 67 evaluated candidates, 52 went through the full pre-vetting process, representing 79% of candidates. Of the 59 candidates whose evaluation is currently completed, 16...

Pre-Vetting: Evaluation of candidates for positions in the Superior Council of Prosecutors, in NUMBERS

The Pre-Vetting Commission completed the extraordinary evaluation of the 18 candidates who enrolled in the competition for membership in the main self-administration body of prosecutors – the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). 17 prosecutors from the General Prosecutor’s Office, territorial and specialized prosecutor’s offices and one non-prosecutor, representative of civil society proposed by the Academy of Sciences, were evaluated. Following the checks of their financial and ethical integrity, the Pre-Vetting Commission issued eight decisions passing candidates and ten decisions failing candidates. Among the ten failing decisions, three involved candidates who withdrew from the competition, one decision involved a failure to submit the 5-year Declaration within the time limit established by law, and six candidates failed following the full evaluation process. Therefore, the results indicate a 41% pass rate among prosecutors, and the only candidate from civil society submitted by the Academy of Sciences also passed the evaluation. All candidates who met the criteria of ethical and financial integrity agreed to the publication of the Commission’s decision. Of the ten candidates who failed the evaluation, only five agreed to the publication of the Commission’s reasoned decision. All candidates except one chose to be present at the public hearings; the candidate who chose not...

Evaluation of the group II of non-judicial candidates to SCM – completed. The decisions on the outcome of the evaluation to follow

The Pre-Vetting Commission concluded the hearing of the second group of non-judicial candidates, nominated by the Parliament for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). Eight candidates with professional experience in the field of law or in another relevant field, out of the nine registered in the competition, agreed to participate in the public interview and answered the questions of the Commission members to clarify some aspects relevant to the evaluation process. Therefore, between July 14-21, the Commission interviewed the candidates Aliona CORCENCO, Veaceslav GUȚAN, Vitalie SÎLI, Lucia POPESCU, Ana TIPA, Iulian MUNTEAN, Leonid CHIRTOACĂ and Nicolae AGACHI, while the candidate Vanu JEREGHI withdrew from the competition  during the evaluation process. During the public hearings, the Commission members asked the candidates several rounds of questions, in order to clarify the ambiguities left after the written communication with them. Among the topics relevant to the evaluation process, touched upon by the members of the Commission at the hearings, there were mainly aspects of financial integrity, such as candidates’ lifestyle, failure to comply with the legal regime for the declaration of assets and personal interests, source of cash savings held by the candidates or their family members, under-estimated sale-purchase prices...

The calendar of the Pre-Vetting Commission’s hearings for 19 – 21 July 2023

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that during 19 - 21 July, 2023, the last six candidates from the second group of non-judges nominated by the Parliament for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), will be interviewed. The public hearings will take place as follows: Wednesday, 19 July, 2023 10:00 a.m. - Vitalie Sîli 11:30 a.m. - Lucia Popescu 2:00 p.m. - Ana Tipa Thursday, 20 July, 2023 1:00 p.m. - Iulian Muntean Friday, 21 July, 2023 10:00 a.m.- Leonid Chirtoaca 1:00 p.m. - Nicolae Agachi The hearings will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1). Civil society, media representatives and the general public can participate by notifying the Commission Secretariat in advance at press@vettingmd.com. The Commission notes that live streaming, as well as taking pictures during the entire sessions is prohibited. The Secretariat of the Commission will provide interested journalists with photos during the hearings, and the recordings of the hearings will be placed on the website of the Commission www.vetting.md in the section Transparency -> Hearings and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting within 24 hours after the end of the hearings. Note: Following the decision of the Legal, Appointments and Immunities Committee of...

The non-judge candidate to the SCM, Vanu Jereghi, withdrew from the competition

The Pre-Vetting Commission informs that Vanu Jereghi, candidate for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), withdrew from the competition, thus failing the evaluation, based on art. 13 para. (1) of Law no. 26/2022. The Commission's decision was sent to the candidate and to the Parliament, the institution responsible for organizing the contest in this case, and the information on the evaluation result was published on the Commission's web page. If the candidate does not notify the Commission that he opposes the publication of the decision within 48 hours, the reasoned decision will be placed on its web page, in a depersonalized form. The candidate is entitled to appeal the decision of the Commission within 5 days from receiving the decision. Vanu Jereghi is part of the second group of nine non-judges candidates, nominated by the Parliament to the position of member to the SCM. The eight candidates remaining in the competition are to be publicly interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission during the hearings scheduled for 14 - 21 July 2023.

The hearing of the new group of non-judge candidates to the SCM begins

The Pre-Vetting Commission will conduct, between July 14 and 21, 2023, the hearings of candidates from the new group of non-judges, nominated by the Parliament for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The interviews will start on Friday, July 14, with the hearing of Aliona Corcenco, at 10:00 a.m., and of Veaceslav Guțan, scheduled for 12:00 p.m., and will continue on July 19, 20 and 21.The exact time of the hearings will be announced additionally. The hearings will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1). Civil society, media representatives and the general public can participate by notifying the Commission Secretariat in advance at press@vettingmd.com. The Commission notes that live streaming, as well as taking pictures during the entire sessions is prohibited. The Secretariat of the Commission will provide interested journalists with photos during the hearings, and the recordings of the hearings will be placed on the website of the Commission www.vetting.md in the section Transparency -> Hearings and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting within 24 hours after the end of the hearings. We recall that following the decision of the Legal, Appointments and Immunities Committee of 5 May 2023, the...

The last two decisions on candidates to SCP, sent to the candidates

The Pre-Vetting Commission concludes the evaluation of the group of candidates for the position of member in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP) with the issuance of decisions on prosecutors Vasile Plevan and Gheorghe Graur. According to the Commission, the two candidates do not meet the criteria of financial and ethical integrity, and therefore do not pass the evaluation. The outcome of the evaluation is contained in the decisions sent today to the prosecutor candidates and to the SCP, the institution responsible for organizing the competition. Gheorghe Graur, prosecutor within the Chisinau Prosecutor's Office and Vasile Plevan, acting deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, are to notify the Commission whether they accept or oppose to the publication of the decisions, within 48 hours from the receipt. In the absence of notification, the decisions will be published on the Commission’s website in a depersonalized form, in both Romanian and English. According to the provisions of Law No 26/2022, any decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt. Eighteen candidates entered the competition for membership of the main self-governing body of prosecutors - the SCP. They were subject to an extraordinary evaluation, and following the...

The Pre-Vetting Commission’s decision on evaluation of candidates to the SCP, prosecutors Aliona Nesterov and Eduard Panea

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that prosecutors, Aliona Nesterov and Eduard Panea, candidates to the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP), pass the evaluation. According to the Commission, the two contenders to positions in the main self-administration body of prosecutors meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The detailed information on the outcome of verification is included in the decisions sent to the candidates and to the SCP, the institution responsible for organizing the competition in this case. The candidates may accept or refuse  publication of the decision, according to the provisions of Law No. 26/2022. If within 48 hours from the receipt of decision, they do not notify  the Commission about their refusal to publish , the decisions will be posted on the Commission’s website in a depersonalized form. The decisions of the Evaluation Commission may be appealed within 5 days from the date of receipt, without following the preliminary procedure. Candidate Aliona Nesterov, deputy of the acting Prosecutor General, was interviewed during the first round of hearings and Eduard Panea, chief Prosecutor of the Leova Prosecutor's Office, during the second round of hearings held in May, 2023. During the public interviews, the Commission members asked the candidates specific questions related to their...

Four more candidates to SCP passed the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission has completed the evaluation of Mariana Cherpec, Iuri Lealin, Elena Roșior and Olesea Vîrlan, candidates to the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). According to the Commission, the four prosecutors meet the integrity criteria and pass the evaluation. The decisions sent today to the candidates and to the SCP, the institution responsible for organizing the competition in this case, contain more detailed information on the outcome of the assessment. At this stage, the Commission is only entitled to communicate information on the outcome of the evaluation, as decisions can only be published with the consent of the candidates concerned. They must notify the Commission whether or not they object to publication within 48 hours after receiving the decision, according to Law 26/2022. Decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from the receipt, under the provisions of the same law. Mariana Cherpec, prosecutor in the Prosecutors’ Office of Chișinău municipality and Iuri Lealin, prosecutor within the General Prosecutor’s Office, were interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission in the first round of hearings in order to become eligible for a position of member of the main self-administration body of prosecutors. The candidates Olesea Vîrlan, interim deputy chief...

Rodica Ciobanu – the second candidate to the SCP, who passed the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the result of evaluation on two more candidates to the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). According to the Commission, candidate nominated by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova to the SCP, Rodica Ciobanu, meets the criteria of financial and ethical integrity, thus passing the evaluation. As for the prosecutor Anatolie Gîrbu the Commission issued a decision on failing the evaluation. A detailed information relating to the integrity verification process is included in the decision sent to the candidates and to the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and SCP, the institutions responsible for organizing the competition in this case. Decisions of the Evaluation Commission may be appealed within 5 days from the date of receipt, without following the preliminary procedure. If within 48 hours from the receipt of decisions, the candidates do not inform the Commission that they oppose publication, the decisions will be posted on the Commission’s website in a depersonalized form. Only candidates who pass the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission are eligible for membership in the SCP. Rodica Ciobanu, candidate nominated by the Academy of Sciences, was publicly interviewed by members of the Pre-Vetting Commission during the second round of hearings of SCP candidates, held at the...

The Pre-Vetting Commission’s decision on evaluation of candidate to the SCP, prosecutor Gheorghe Borș

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the outcome of the evaluation of the candidate to the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP), prosecutor Gheorghe Borș. According to the Commission, Gheorghe Borș failed the evaluation as he does not meet the financial and ethical integrity criteria. The detailed information on the outcome of evaluation is included in the decision sent to the candidate and to the SCP, the institution responsible for organizing the competition in this case. The candidate may accept or refuse the publication of the decision, according to the provisions of Law no. 26/2022. If within 48 hours from the receipt of decision, the candidate does not inform the Commission that he opposes to its publication,  the decision will be posted on the Commission's website in a depersonalized form. The decision of the Evaluation Commission may be appealed within 5 days from the date of receipt, without following the preliminary procedure. The decision on failing the integrity evaluation is a legal basis  for not admitting the candidate to the elections or competition. Only candidates who pass the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission are eligible for membership in the SCP. Gheorghe Borș, prosecutor within the General Prosecutor’s Office, was publicly interviewed as candidate for membership in the...

Decisions on failing the evaluation by two candidates to SCP

The Pre-Vetting Commission has completed the evaluation of prosecutors Vitalie Codreanu and Cristina Gladcov and announces that the two candidates to the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP) failed the integrity evaluation. The decisions were sent to the candidates and to the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case the SCP. At this stage, the Commission is only entitled to communicate information on the outcome of the evaluation, as decisions can only be published with the consent of the candidates concerned. They must notify the Commission whether or not they object to publication within 48 hours after receiving the decision, according to Law 26/2022. Decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from the receipt, under the provisions of the same law. Both Vitalie Codreanu and Cristina Gladcov, prosecutors within the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, agreed to participate in the public hearing and were interviewed by the members of the Pre-Vetting Commission during the first round of hearings of the candidates to SCP. Note: Until his moment, out of the SCP candidates who went through the full vetting process, one candidate passed and two failed the evaluation. Four other candidates failed the evaluation on the grounds that they...

Preliminary data on the evaluation of candidates to SCP membership

The Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded the second and final round of public hearings of candidates for membership to the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). Five prosecutor candidate and one civil society representative participated in the public interview to clarify aspects relevant to the evaluation process. Therefore, from 24 to 29 May 2023, the prosecutor candidates Gheorghe GRAUR (Chisinau Prosecutor's Office), Olesea VÎRLAN (Ialoveni Prosecutor's Office), Elena ROȘIOR (Anenii Noi Prosecutor's Office), Eduard PANEA (Leova Prosecutor's Office), Vasile PLEVAN (Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office) and Rodica CIOBANU, the candidate proposed by the Academy of Sciences, were interviewed. Among the relevant topics of the evaluation process, addressed by the members of the Commission during the hearings, were the source of the financial means used by the candidates to acquire goods and assets, the difference between the income earned and expenses incurred, as well as the non-disclosure of certain aspects in the declarations of assets and interests submitted to the National Integrity Authority. The Commission members also asked questions relating to the ethical integrity of the candidates, and these parts were examined in closed session, where there was a risk to harm the privacy of the candidate, his/her family members or other individuals involved. A total of...

Pre-Vetting Commission hearings schedule for May 24 – 26, 2023

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the resumption of public hearings of the candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). Between May 24 - 26, 2023, five prosecutor candidates and one civil society representative, nominated by the Academy of Sciences, are expected to attend this round of hearings. The six candidates to SCP will be interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission members according to the following schedule: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Gheorghe GRAUR (10 a.m.) Olesea VÎRLAN (1 p.m.) Thursday, May 25, 2023 Elena ROȘIOR (10 a.m.) Rodica CIOBANU (1 p.m.) Friday, May 26, 2023 Vasile PLEVAN (10 a.m.) Eduard PANEA (1 p.m.) The hearings will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1). Civil society, media representatives and the general public can participate by notifying the Commission Secretariat in advance at press@vettingmd.com. Note: Filming, live streaming, as well as taking pictures during the entire sessions is prohibited. The Secretariat of the Commission will provide interested journalists with photos during the hearings, and the recordings of the hearings will be placed on the website of the Commission www.vetting.md in the section Transparency -> Hearings and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting within 24 hours after the end of the...

The Pre-Vetting Commission has started assessing the integrity of the new non-judicial candidates to SCM

The Pre-Vetting Commission has sent the 5-year Declaration form to the new non-judicial candidates for the Superior Council of Magistrates (SCM), thus initiating the evaluation procedure. The nine candidates declared eligible by the Parliament to participate in the competition are expected to return by e-mail the completed document, as well as any additional documents as appropriate, to the Commission within 7 days from the request, by May 25, 2023. The 5 -year declaration, pursuant to art. 9 para. (2) of the Law No. 26/2022 on some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, includes information on the candidates’ personal assets and interests, as well as the list of close persons in the judiciary, prosecution and public service. Candidates who were not previously subjects of declaration under Law No. 133/2016 shall complete declarations for each of the last five years (period 2018-2022) for which an annual declaration was not filed. Following the receipt of the declarations from candidates, the Pre-Vetting Commission will analyze the income and assets of the candidates and their families on the basis of extensive research of relevant data collected from public information systems, accumulated from natural...

Pre-Vetting SCP: First decision of passing the evaluation

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the result of the evaluation of Dumitru Obadă, candidate for the position of member of the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). According to the Commission, Dumitru Obadă passes the evaluation, being compliant with the ethical and financial integrity criteria. The decision was sent today to the candidate and to the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case the SCP. The decision is published on Commission’s website www.vetting.md in a depersonalized form. Pursuant to art. 14 para. (1) of Law No. 26/2022, the candidate is entitled to appeal the decision within 5 days from receiving the decision. Dumitru Obadă was interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission on April 21, in the context of financial and ethical integrity evaluation of the candidates for the position of member in the self-administration body of prosecutors. Candidate currently holds the position of Government Agent of the Republic of Moldova at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), but maintains his status as a prosecutor and is entitled to run for a seat in the SCP

Evaluation of candidates to the PSC at the public hearings stage: Seven candidates were interviewed

From 21 to 28 April 2023, the Pre-Vetting Commission interviewed seven prosecutors in the first round of hearings of candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (PSC). The public hearings took place in the context of financial and ethical integrity evaluation of the candidates for the position of member in the self-administration body of prosecutors. During the hearings, candidate prosecutors Vitalie CODREANU and Cristina GLADCOV from the Anticorruption Prosecution Office, Aliona NESTEROV, Gheorghe BORȘ and Iuri LEALIN from the General Prosecutor's Office, Mariana CHERPEC from the Prosecutors’ Office of Chișinău municipality, and Dumitru OBADĂ, Government Agent of the Republic of Moldova at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), answered the questions of the members of the Commission in order to clarify some aspects relevant to the evaluation process. Candidate Anatolie GÎRBU requested to be evaluated solely on the basis of the material gathered by the Commission, deciding not to attend the public hearing. The Pre-Vetting Commission will announce the results of the evaluation process for the eight candidates in the forthcoming period. In accordance with the Law No. 26/2022 on some measures related to the selection of candidates for membership in the self-administrative bodies of judges and prosecutors and the...

Pre-Vetting SCP: Two prosecutor candidates withdrew from the competition, thus failing the Pre-Vetting Commission’s evaluation

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that Aureliu Buzdugan, acting Chief Prosecutor of Anenii Noi District Prosecutor’s Office, and Remus Moroz, prosecutor in the Prosecutors’ Office of Chișinău municipality, Buiucani office, candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP), failed the evaluation due to their withdrawal from the competition. The Commission's decisions were sent to the candidates and to the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case the Superior Council of Prosecutors. Decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt. The Commission will place the decisions on its website, in depersonalized form, unless candidates object to publication. 13 prosecutor candidates and one civil society representative, proposed by the Academy of Sciences, remained in the competition for membership of the PSC. They are being evaluated by the Pre-Vetting Commission on financial and ethical integrity. The hearing of candidates begins on Friday, April 21, 2023. Only those who pass the Commission's evaluation will be eligible for election to the new composition of the Superior Council of Prosecutors.

START hearings of the candidates for membership in CSP

The Independent Evaluation Commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors (Pre-Vetting Commission) announces the first round of hearings of candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP), which will start on April 21st, 2023, and run until April 28th, 2023. CSP candidates who will be interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission as follows: Friday, April 21, 2023 Vitalie CODREANU (10:00) Dumitru OBADĂ (13:00) Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Mariana CHERPEC (13:00) Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Yuri LEALIN (15:00) Thursday, April 27, 2023 Aliona NESTEROV (14:00) Gheorghe BORȘ (16:00) Friday, April 28, 2023 Anatolie GÎRBU (10:00) Cristina GLADCOV (13:00) The hearings will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1). Civil society, media representatives and the general public can participate by notifying the Commission Secretariat in advance at press@vettingmd.com. Note: Filming, live streaming, as well as taking pictures during the entire sessions is prohibited. The Secretariat of the Commission will provide interested journalists with photos during the hearings, and the recordings of the hearings will be placed on the website of the Commission www.vetting.md in the section Transparency -> Hearings and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting within 24...

A candidate for SCP membership withdrew from the competition, thus failing the Pre-Vetting Commission evaluation

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that Cristina Robu, candidate for the position of member of the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP) and interim deputy to the Chief Prosecutor of the Anticorruption Prosecution Office, South office, failed the evaluation due to her withdrawal from the competition. The decision will be published on the websites of the Commission and the PSC, the institution responsible for organizing the competition, within 48 hours, unless the candidate notifies the Commission that she objects to publication. Cristina Robu may appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from the receipt, without prior procedure. There are 16 candidates remaining in the competition for membership for SCP, for which the Pre-Vetting Commission is conducting an assessment of financial and ethical integrity. Only those who pass the Commission's evaluation will be eligible for election to the new composition of the Superior Council of Prosecutors. 18 candidates applied for the SCP, including 17 prosecutors from the General Prosecutor's Office, territorial and specialized prosecutors' offices and one civil society representative proposed by the Academy of Sciences. The integrity checks cover a period of 15 years.

INFOGRAPHICS//Evaluation on the candidates for positions in the Superior Council of Magistracy, in figures

The Pre-Vetting Commission has completed the evaluation process for the 40 judicial and non-judicial candidates seeking to become eligible for membership of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The evaluation process covered 28 judicial candidates, registered in the competition organized by the SCM, and 12 non-judicial candidates, admitted to the competition organized by the Parliament. However, 31 candidates completed the full evaluation process, while 9 candidates either withdrew from the competition or did not submit the documents required by law for the evaluation within the prescribed timeframe, which resulted in their failure to pass the evaluation. Out of the total 40 candidates, five judges and three non-judges passed the evaluation, which corresponds to a pass rate of 18% for judges and 25% for non-judges. Twenty-nine candidates participated in the public hearings conducted by the Pre-Vetting Commission. Two candidates requested to be evaluated without participating in a public hearing. Out of 32 decisions failing the candidate, 18 judicial and 4 non-judicial candidates appealed the decision to the SCJ. So far, two of the appeals have been resolved, with the decisions of the Pre-Vetting Commission upheld. More than 70% of candidates agreed to the publication of the Pre-Vetting Commission's decision. Most of the Commission’s decisions were...

Pre-Vetting: Evaluation of non-judicial candidates for the SCM – completed

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that it has finalized the evaluation of the group of candidates proposed by the Parliament for positions in the SCM and has issued the last decision in this regard. According to the Commission, the non-judicial candidate Alexandru Rotari failed the evaluation. The conclusion is found in the decision sent today to the candidate and the Parliament, the institution responsible for organizing the competition. Alexandru Rotari is to notify the Commission whether he accepts or opposes to the publication of the decision within 48 hours from the receipt. In the absence of notification, the decision will be published on the Commission's website in a depersonalized form. According to the provisions of Law No 26/2022, any decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt. 12 candidates with relevant professional experience in law, admitted to the competition by a decision of the Legal, Appointments and Immunities Committee of the Parliament went through the financial and ethical integrity evaluation process conducted by the Pre-Vetting Commission in order to become eligible to become member of the SCM. Following the evaluation of non-judicial candidates, the Commission issued three decisions of passing the evaluation and nine decisions of failing...

The Pre-Vetting Commission’s evaluation result for Tatiana Chiriac, non-judicial candidate for position in the SCM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that Tatiana Chiriac, non-judicial candidate for position in the SCM, failed the evaluation. The conclusion is found in the decision sent to the candidate and the Parliament, the institution responsible for organizing the competition in this case. Tatiana Chiriac can accept or oppose to the publication of decision, according to the provisions of Law No. 26/2022. The decision may also be appealed before the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from the date of receipt. So far, the Pre-Vetting Commission has issued decisions on seven candidates from the group of professionals with experience in law or other relevant field, submitted by the Parliament for positions in the SCM. Only candidates who pass the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission are eligible for membership in the SCM.

The Pre-Vetting Commission’s decision on Stefan Belecciu’s candidacy for SCM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that Ștefan Belecciu, non-judicial candidate proposed by the Parliament for the position of member of the SCM failed the evaluation. The decision has been sent to the candidate and to the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case the Parliament. At the candidate's request, the decision will not be published. According to the provisions of Law No 26/2022, the decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from the date of receipt. We recall that Ștefan Belecciu requested to be evaluated without attending the public hearing. Six non-judicial candidates included in the list submitted by the Parliament to the Pre-Vetting Commission have received the result of the evaluation. Two other candidates from the same group will receive the Commission's decisions next days.

The Pre-Vetting Commission’s evaluation results for Valentin Caisîn and Angela Popil, non-judicial candidates for positions in the SCM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that two non-judicial candidates proposed by the Parliament for positions in the CSM, Valentin Caisîn and Angela Popil, failed the evaluation. The conclusion is found in the decisions sent to the candidates and the Parliament, the institution responsible for organizing the competition in this case. Valentin Caisîn and Angela Popil are to notify the Commission if they accept or oppose the publication of decisions, within 48 hours from the receipt. Otherwise, decisions will be published on the Commission's website after the deadline. According to the provisions of Law no. 26/2022, decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days from the date of receipt. The Pre-Vetting Commission has issued decisions on five non-judicial candidates, included in the list submitted by the Parliament to the Commission. Three candidates from the same category of professionals, with experience in law or other relevant field, are waiting for the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decisions, in order to become eligible for a position of member of the SCM. UPDATE: Valentin Caisîn and Angela Popil consent to publish the decisions of the Pre-Vetting Commission. Link to decisions: htps://vetting.md/en/decisions/

Alexandru Postica passed the Pre-Vetting Commission’s evaluation and accepted the publication of the decision

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that Alexandru Postica, appointed by the Parliament for membership of the SCM, passed the evaluation. The candidate has accepted the publication of the decision, which can be found on the Commission's website and has also been forwarded to the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case Parliament. Link to Decisions: htps://vetting.md/en/decisions/ So far, three candidates for positions in the Superior Council of Magistracy, with professional experience in law or other relevant field, included in the list submitted to the Pre-Vetting Commission by the Parliament, have passed the evaluation. Four candidates did not pass the evaluation, as they withdrew from the competition or did not submit their 5-year declaration on time, and five other candidates are awaiting the decisions of the Pre-Vetting Commission in order to become eligible for a position in the SCM.

The Pre-Vetting Commission’s result on the evaluation of Tatiana Ciaglic and Ion Guzun, candidates for SCM proposed by the Parliament

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that two candidates proposed by the Parliament for positions in the SCM, Tatiana Ciaglic and Ion Guzun, passed the evaluation. The Commission's decisions were sent to the candidates and the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case the Parliament. Tatiana Ciaglic and Ion Guzun notified the Commission about their approval to publish the decisions, which were placed on the Commission’s website. According to the provisions of Law no. 26/2022, any decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice, within 5 days from the date of receipt. Link to the Decisions: https://vetting.md/en/decisions/ We remind that at the end of last week, the Pre-Vetting Commission concluded the hearing of the non-judicial candidates for positions in the SCM, remained in the contest. Out of the 12 candidates with professional experience in the field of law or in another relevant field, included in the list of candidates submitted to the Commission by the Parliament, seven candidates participated in the hearings, as two withdrew from the competition, two others did not submit the 5 years declaration in time, thus not promoting the evaluation, and one candidate requested to be evaluated without participating in the hearings. Therefore, until now, two candidates have...

Seven non-judicial candidates for positions in the SCM were heard by the Pre-Vetting Commission. The decisions to follow

The Pre-Vetting Commission has concluded the stage of public hearings of non-judicial candidates for positions in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). Out of the 12 candidates with professional experience in the field of law or in another relevant field, included in the list of candidates submitted to the Commission by the Parliament, seven candidates participated in the hearings, as two withdrew from the competition, two other candidates did not submit in time the 5 years declaration, thus being disqualified, and one candidate requested to be evaluated without participating in the hearings. Therefore, between March 1st and 9th, in public sessions were heard Tatiana CHIRIAC, Tatiana CIAGLIC, Ion GUZUN, Angela POPIL, Valentin CAISÎN, Alexandru POSTICĂ and Alexandru ROTARI who answered the questions of the members of the Commission in order to clarify some aspects relevant to the evaluation process. According to Law nr. 26/2022 on some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member of the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors and the Evaluation Regulation, the video recordings from the hearings were published on the website of the Pre-Vetting Commission www.vetting.md and the Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisia.prevetting. In the next period, the Pre-Vetting Commission will work on drafting...

Pre-Vetting Commission starts the hearings of the non-judicial candidates for SCM

Between March 1 and 7, 2023, the Pre-Vetting Commission will hear the group of candidates submitted by the Parliament to the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM).  Eight candidates with professional experience in law or other relevant field will be interviewed. The following candidates will be heard in public on 1-3 March 2023: Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 Tatiana CHIRIAC (10:00) Tatiana CIAGLIC (14:00) Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 Ion GUZUN (14:00) Friday, March 3rd, 2023 Angela POPIL (14:00) The list of candidates to be heard on 6th and 7th of March, 2023 will be announced by the end of the week. The hearings take place in the context of the financial and ethical evaluation of the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, in accordance with Law no. 26/2022 and will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1). Civil society, media representatives and the general public can participate by notifying the Commission Secretariat in advance at press@vettingmd.com. Note: Filming, live streaming, as well as taking pictures during the entire sessions is prohibited. The Secretariat of the Commission will provide...

The decision on Ludmila Ouș is now public

Ludmila Ouș, non-judicial candidate for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), accepted the publication of the decision of the Pre-Vetting Commission. The candidate withdrew from the competition, thus failing the evaluation. The decision will be published on the website of the Parliament and the Pre-Vetting Commission, in accordance with Article 13 para. (7) of the Law No. 26/2022. Decision: https://bit.ly/3XDM5jS Candidates may appeal against the Commission’s decision to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of the date of receipt, without following the prior procedure. 12 non-judicial candidates with professional experience in the field of law or other relevant field have been submitted by the Parliament for membership of the Superior Council of Magistracy and are evaluated by the Pre-Vetting Commission on their financial and ethical integrity. So far, two candidates failed the evaluation because they did not submit their 5-year declaration on time, two others withdrew from the competition, thus failing the evaluation.

Evaluation of non-judicial candidates for the SCM: another candidate withdrew from the competition

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that Ludmila Ouș, candidate for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), from the list proposed by the Parliament, has withdrawn from the competition, thus failing the evaluation. The Commission's decision was sent to the candidate and to the institution responsible for organizing the competition, in this case Parliament. The decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt. Ludmila Ouș has 48 hours to inform the Commission whether she accepts the publication of the reasoned decision. The Commission will publish the decision on its website if the candidate does not object to publication. 12 non-judicial candidates with professional experience in the field of law or other relevant field have been submitted by the Parliament for membership of the Superior Council of Magistracy and are evaluated by the Pre-Vetting Commission on their financial and ethical integrity. So far, two candidates failed the evaluation because they did not submit their 5-year declaration on time, two others withdrew from the competition, thus failing the evaluation.

The Pre-Vetting Commission’s decision on candidate for SCP Vasile Stoinov is now public

Vasile Stoinov, candidate for the position of member of the Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP) and prosecutor in Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crimes and Special Cases, South Office, did not refused the publication of the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decision on his failure of evaluation based on the candidate’s failure to submit the 5-year declaration. The Commission’s evaluation decision will be publish on the web pages of the Commission and the CSP, the institution responsible for organizing the competition. Decision: http://bit.ly/3S8qgIb  Candidates may appeal against the Commission's decision to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of the date of receipt, without following the prior procedure. The Pre-Vetting Commission is conducting the evaluation of financial and ethical integrity of 17 candidates remained in the competition for membership in the SCP. Only those who pass the Commission's evaluation will be eligible to the new composition of the Superior Council of Prosecutors.

Evaluation of candidates for the CSP positions has begun. The first decision of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission has started the evaluation of candidates for the positions of Superior Council of the Prosecutors (SCP) members. 18 candidates to the SCP, 17 prosecutors from the General Prosecutor's Office, territorial and specialized prosecutors' offices, but also a representative of the civil society, who is part of the selection process organized by the Academy of Sciences will be evaluated This process includes financial and ethical integrity evaluation for the period of 15 years. The Commission sent a request to the candidates to fill in and submit the Declaration of assets and personal interests for 5 years. The Declaration also includes a list of close persons in judiciary, among prosecutors and in public service, as required by the law. Failure to submit this information on time constitutes ground for the Commission to find that the candidates failed the evaluation. In this regard, Vasilie Stoinov, candidate for the position of member in the CSP and prosecutor at the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases, the South Office did not submit the declaration and thus did not pass the evaluation. The decision was sent to the candidate and the institution responsible for organizing the selection process, in this case the Superior...

Pre-Vetting Commission publishes the decision on Judges Ion Chirtoacă, Marina Rusu and Alexei Paniș along with the dissenting opinions of a member of the Commission

The candidates for the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), judges Ion Chirtoacă (Chișinău Court, Buiucani Office), Marina Rusu, (Cahul Court, Taraclia Office) and Alexei Paniș (Chișinău Court, Rîlcani Office) have accepted the publication of the reasoned decisions of the Pre-Vetting Commission. The three decisions of failing the evaluation were adopted by a majority of five members of the Commission. Commission member Vitalie Miron issued a dissenting opinion in each of the three cases, which were attached to the decisions. • Decision on the candidacy of Ion Chirtoacă https://bit.ly/3HMfMJF Dissenting opinion https://bit.ly/3jD7hsE • Decision on the candidacy of Marina Rusu https://bit.ly/3jHNyry Dissenting opinion https://bit.ly/3JQX9Hn • Decision on the candidacy of Alexei Paniș https://bit.ly/40H9WC9 Dissenting opinion https://bit.ly/3Yxn9eO The Commission’s decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt, without prior procedure, according to art. 14 para. (1) and (2) of Law No. 26/2022. 19 of the 28 judicial candidates running for the position of member in the SCM accepted the publication of the Commission's reasoned decisions and the dissenting opinions attached, depending on the case. The Pre-Vetting Commission has completed the evaluation of judicial candidates for the SCM with 5 decisions of passing and 23 decisions of failing of the evaluation....

Supreme Court of Justice upheld the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decision regarding judge Anatolie Țurcan

The Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) rejected, on 6 February 2023, the appeal filed by judge Anatolie Turcan against the decision of the Independent Evaluation Commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors (Pre-Vetting Commission). In this decision, the Pre-Vetting Commission held that serious doubts have been found in relation to judge Anatolie Turcan’s compliance with ethical and financial integrity criteria  and thus he failed the evaluation.  The SCJ upheld the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decision. The decision of the Supreme Court of Justice is irrevocable and cannot be appealed . This is the first decision of the SCJ reviewing the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decisions. The SCJ decision is public and can be consulted here (Romanian version): http://jurisprudenta.csj.md/search_col_civil.php?id=70713 By 6 February 2023, 11 judges running for the position of member in the SCM, and who are subject to the extraordinary evaluation by the Pre-Vetting Commission, had exercised their legal right to appeal the unfavorable decisions of the Evaluation Commission before the Supreme Court of Justice. These are magistrates Iurie Bejenaru, Anatolie Turcan, Vitalie Stratan, Angela Bostan, Vladislav Holban, Sergiu Osoianu, Ecaterina Buzu, Veronica Cupcea, Aliona Miron, Mihail Bușuleac, Nicolae Șova. Hearings in several...

Evaluation of the judicial candidates for the SCM – the last decisions of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the last results on the evaluation of candidates for the Superior Council of Magistrates (SCM) among career judges. According to the Commission, judges Ion Chirtoaca and Aureliu Postica, from the Chisinau Court, Buiucani Office, Marina Rusu from the Cahul Court, Taraclia Office, and Alexei Panis, from the Chisinau Court, Riscani Office, failed the evaluation. The conclusion is contained in the reasoned decisions, which were sent to the candidates today. Judicial candidates have 48 hours to notify the Commission Secretariat whether they object or not to the publication of the decisions. Otherwise, they will be posted on the websites of the SCM and the Pre-Vetting Commission in a depersonalized form, except for the surname and first name of the candidate that remain public. The Commission’s decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt, without prior procedure, according to art. 14 para. (1) and (2) of Law No. 26/2022. Note: The Pre-Vetting Commission has completed the evaluation of judicial candidates for the SCM with 5 decisions of promotion and 23 decisions of non-promotion of the evaluation. The five candidates who passed the evaluation are judges of the district courts. Candidates who failed the evaluation...

Judges Stanislav Sorbalo and Natalia Clevadî accepted the publication of the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decisions

Two other judges, candidates for positions in the SCM, accepted the publication of the Pre-Vetting Commission's decisions on their non-promotion of the evaluation. Stanislav Sorbalo, judge at the Balti Court, Head Office, ran for membership of the SCM and the Disciplinary Board of Judges and was heard by the Commission, while Natalia Clevadî, candidate for the SCM, requested to be evaluated without participating in the public interview. According to the reasoned decisions, the Commission concluded that the candidates do not meet the integrity criteria as serious doubts have been found. • Decision on the candidacy of Stanislav Sorbalo https://bit.ly/40pXiXY • Decision on the candidacy of Natalia Clevadî https://bit.ly/3x1ELni The Commission’s decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt, without prior procedure, according to art. 14 para. (1) and (2) of Law No. 26/2022.

Three more candidates for positions in the SCM failed the pre-vetting evaluation

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the results on evaluation of judges Stanislav Sorbalo, from the Balti Court, Victor Sandu, from the Chisinau Court, Centre Office and Natalia Clevadî, from the Chișinau Court, Buiucani Office. According to the Commission, the three judges, candidates for positions in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), failed the evaluation. Judge Sorbalo is also running for membership of the Disciplinary Board of Judges. The result is included in the reasoned decisions, which have been sent to the candidates. If the candidates don’t notify the Commission of their refusal to publish the decisions within 48 hours after the decisions were sent, these will be posted on the website of the SCM and the Pre-Vetting Commission in a depersonalized form, except for the surname and first name of the candidate that remain public. The Commission members made their decisions based on information gathered in the evaluation process, including from written communication with candidates and from the hearings. It should be noted that candidate Natalia Clevadi requested to be evaluated without participating in the public interview. The Commission's decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt, without prior procedure, according to art. 14 para. (1) and...

Judges Aliona Miron and Veronica Cupcea do not oppose the publication of the decisions of the Pre-Vetting Commission

Two magistrates, candidates for membership in the SCM, Aliona Miron, from the Supreme Court of Justice, and Veronica Cupcea, from the Orhei Court, who received the results of the Pre-Vetting Commission's evaluation earlier this week, accepted the publication of the Commission's reasoned decisions. Following their notification that they do not object to publication, the decisions have been placed on the Commission's website in a depersonalized form and will be published on the website of the Superior Council of Magistracy. The candidates failed the evaluation. • Decision on the candidacy of Veronica Cupcea 🔗 https://bit.ly/3HR6kVJ • Decision on the candidacy of Aliona Miron 🔗 https://bit.ly/3YgsqHq 🔸 Pursuant to art. 14 para. (1) of Law No. 26/2022, the candidate is entitled to appeal this decision within 5 days from receiving the decision. 

Result of the Pre-Vetting Commission on the evaluation of the four judicial candidates for positions in the SCM

Four candidates for the position of member of the SCM from among judges, magistrates Mihail Bușuleac from Cahul Court, Veronica Cupcea from Orhei Court, Aliona Miron from the Supreme Court of Justice and Nicolae Șova from Chisinau Court, have received the results of the Pre-Vetting Commission on the evaluation of their financial and ethical integrity. The four candidates failed the evaluation. The reasoned decisions were sent to the candidates and to the institution responsible for organizing the competition, the SCM. If within 48 hours of sending the decisions, the candidates do not notify the Commission of his or her refusal to publish the decision, the decision shall be published on the website of the Superior Council of Magistracy in a depersonalized form, except for the surname and first name of the candidate that remain public. The Commission's decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt, without prior procedure, according to Article 14(2). 1) and 2) of Law no. 26/2022. So far, 5 candidates for positions in the SCM out of the 23 remaining in the competition, have promoted the Commission’s evaluation in terms of integrity, 11 have been disqualified by not promoting the evaluation and can...

First decisions on non-judge candidates for SCM positions submitted by the Parliament

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the decisions on three candidates with professional experience in law or another relevant field from the list submitted by the Parliament for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, the non-judge candidates Evgheni Florea, university professor at the State University of Comrat, and Ilie Mămăligă, lawyer, did not submit in time the declaration of assets and personal interests with updated data for the last 5 years (Declaration for 5 years) and/or the required annexes, which led to their non-promotion of evaluation. Candidate Fiodor Bria, lecturer at the Free International University, withdrew from the competition, thus failing the evaluation. In accordance with the legal procedure, the Commission's decisions were sent to the candidates and to the institution responsible for organizing the elections or the competition, in this case the Parliament. The decisions are subject to appeal and may be challenged by the candidates before the Supreme Court of Justice within 5 days of receipt. At the same time, the three non-judge candidates have 48 hours to notify the Commission whether they accept or oppose the publication of the reasoned decisions. We remind that 12 non-judge candidates, elected on the basis of a public competition, were...

Three judges accepted the publication of the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decisions

Three of the four judges who had received the result of the Pre-Vetting Commission’s assessment earlier this week accepted the publication of the substantiated decisions. Vasile Șchiopu, judge at the Ungheni Court and candidate for the CSM, and Sergiu Caraman, judge at the Criuleni Court and candidate for the SCM and in the Performance Evaluation Bourd, and Ecaterina Buzu, candidate for SCM and judge at the Orhei Court, notified the Commission of their agreement to publish the text of the decisions. Candidate Sergiu Osoianu, judge at the Straseni Court, used his legal right to refuse publication. The decisions were placed on the Commission’s website in a depersonalized form and will also be published on the website of the Superior Council of Magistracy. Decision on the candidacy of Sergiu Caraman Decision-CARAMAN-redacted.pdf (vetting.md) Decision on the candidacy of Ecaterina Buzu Decision-BUZU_redacted.pdf (vetting.md) Decision on the candidacy of Vasile Șchiopu Decision-SCHIOPU-redacted.pdf (vetting.md) Pursuant to art. 14 para. (1) of Law No. 26/2022 regarding some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, the candidate is entitled to appeal this decision in the Supreme Court of Justice, within 5 days from receiving the decision. At this stage...

Decisions of the Pre-Vetting Commission on the integrity of four SCM candidates from among judges

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the result of the evaluation regarding four candidates for the position of member of the SCM,  from among the career judges. Two decisions of promotion and two of non-promotion of  the integrity assessment were sent to the candidates concerned and to the institution responsible for organizing the competition. According to the Commission, Vasile Șchiopu, judge at the Ungheni Court and candidate for the CSM, and Sergiu Caraman, judge at the Criuleni Court and candidate for the SCM and in the Performance Evaluation Bourd of judges, meet the criteria of financial integrity and ethics, and thus, promote the evaluation. As for the candidates Sergiu Osoianu, judge at the Straseni Court, and Ecaterina Buzu, judge at the Orhei Court, the Commission decided that they do not promote the evaluation. If the candidates do not notify the Commission about their refusal to publish the decisions within 48 hours of their transmission, they will be published in full on the website of the SCM and on the Commission's website. According to art. 14 para. 1) and 2) of Law. 26/2022 on some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member of the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, the...

START evaluation of the non-judges candidates for the position of member of the SCM, submitted by the Parliament

The Pre-Vetting Commission has started the evaluation procedure of the group of candidates submitted by the Parliament to the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The list of the 12 non-judges, admitted to the competition by a decision of the Legal, Appointments and Immunities Committee of the Parliament, includes freelance lawyers, lawyers and representatives of civil society and the academic environment, who will go through the process of assessment of the financial and ethical integrity, in order to become eligible for a position of permanent member of the SCM. At first stage, the Evaluation Committee sent the candidates the declaration of assets and personal interests form for the last 5 years, to be completed, signed electronically and submitted to the Secretariat of the Commission within 7 days from the request. The declaration form will include both the information on the assets and personal interests of those who are running for the position of member of the SCM, as well as the list of close persons from the judicial system, the prosecutor's office and the public service. The failure to submit the statements in time constitutes a reason for the Commission to decide on non-promotion of the evaluation...

ANNOUNCEMENT! The Pre-Vetting Commission concludes the hearing of judicial candidates for positions in the CSM with magistrate Alexei Paniș

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 10:00, the Pre-Vetting Commission will hear, in public session, Alexei PANIȘ, magistrate from Chișinău Court, Rîșcani Oficce, and candidate for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM).  Alexei Paniș will be the last candidate, among the career judges, who will be interviewed, as the candidate Natalia CLEVADÎ, judge at the Chisinau Court, Buiucani Office, requested to be evaluated without attending the hearing. The members of the Pre-Vetting Commission will take the decision on the candidate based on the information gathered in the evaluation process, including from the written communication with the candidate. The hearings of candidate Paniș will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1). Civil society, media representatives and the general public may participate in the hearings by notifying the Secretariat of the Commission in advance at  the press@vettingmd.com.  The list of participants will be established according to the sequence of notifications received by the Secretariat. Only people registered in advance will have access to the room where the interviews will be conducted. We recall that filming, live streaming, as well as taking pictures...

Judges Angela Bostan and Iurie Bejenaru accepted the publication of the Pre-Vetting Commission’s decisions on their no-promotion of the evaluation

Judges Angela Bostan, from the Chisinau  Court of Appeal, and Iurie Bejenaru, from the Supreme Court of Justice, candidates for position of member in the SCM, agreed that the reasoned decisions of the Pre-Vetting  Commission regarding  their non-promotion of the integrity evaluation to be made public. The decisions were published on the Commission's website, in an impersonal form (https://vetting.md/en/decisions/), and will also be published on the website of the Superior Council of Magistracy.  In the case of Judge Angela Bostan, the member of the Commission, Vitale Miron, formulated a separate opinion from the other members, which was annexed to the decision. Contrary to the two judges, magistrates Anatolie Țurcan, from the Supreme Court of Justice, Vitalie Stratan, from the Chisinau Court, Head Office, and Vladislav Holban, from the Chisinau Court, Centru Office, notified the Pre-Vetting Commission of their refusal to publish the decisions. Pursuant to art. 14 para. (1) of Law No. 26/2022 regarding some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, the candidate is entitled to appeal this decision in the Supreme Court of Justice, within 5 days from receiving the decision. Up to this moment, the Pre-Vetting Commission has...

Five judicial candidates for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) failed the evaluation of the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission completed the evaluation process regarding five candidates for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) from among career judges and sent its decisions to the candidates and the institution responsible for organizing the competition. The decisions concern magistrates Iurie Bejenaru and Anatolie Țurcan, from the Supreme Court of Justice, Vitalie Stratan, from the Chisinau Court, Head Office, Angela Bostan, from the Chisinau Court of Appeal, and Vladislav Holban, from the Chisinau Court, Centru Office, which, according to the Commission, do not meet the integrity criteria and fail the evaluation. The members of the Commission justified their decisions by finding serious doubts regarding the candidates' compliance with the principles of ethical and financial integrity. Pursuant to the new amendments to Law no. 26/2022 regarding some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, after sending the substantiated decisions to the candidates and the SCM, the Pre-Vetting Commission publishes on its website www.vetting.md the information regarding the evaluation result. If within 48 hours of the transmission of the decision, the candidate does not notify the Commission of his refusal to publish the decision, it...

Six more judicial candidates for the position of membership in the SCM will be interviewed by the Pre-Vetting Commission between December 14-16, 2022

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the schedule of public hearings for the period December 14-16, 2022 and invites representatives of the mass media, civil society, and the general public to participate, by prior e-mail notification of the Commission Secretariat at press@vettingmd.com. The hearings take place in the context of the financial and ethical evaluation of the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, in accordance with Law no. 26/2022. Therefore, six judicial candidates for position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) were invited to the interview, as follows: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Mihail BUȘULEAC, Cahul Court, Head Office (10:00 a.m.) Marina RUSU, Cahul Court, Taraclia Office (2:00 p.m.) Thursday, December 15, 2022 Ion CHIRTOACĂ, Chișinău Court, Buiucani Office (10:00 a.m.) Victor SANDU, Chișinău Court, Centru Office (12:30 p.m.) Friday, December 16, 2022 Veronica CUPCEA, Orhei Court, Head Office  (10:00 a.m.) Aureliu POSTICĂ, Chișinău Court, Buiucani Office (2 p.m.) The hearings will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1), and the list of participants will be established according to the sequence of notifications received by the Secretariat. Only people registered in advance will have...

Evaluation of the candidates for the position of member in SCM: Round 3 of hearings, six candidates interviewed

Six candidates for the position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), were heard by the Pre-Vetting Commission, between November 30 and December 2, 2022. They are Aliona Miron from the Supreme Court of Justice, Stanislav Sorbalo from the Bălți District Court, Vasile Șchiopu from the Ungheni District Court, Sergiu Caraman from the Criuleni District Court, Nicolae Șova from the Chișinău District Court, Central Office and Ecaterina Buzu from the Orhei District Court. The hearings refered to the financial and ethical integrity of the judicial candidates based on the information obtained by the Commission from public and private sources, as well as the previous written communication with them. In particular, issues related to the origin of funds deposited in the bank accounts of the candidates and their family members, donations and loans from third parties were addressed, as well as the circumstances in which some of the interviewed magistrates purchased homes at preferential prices, in within the programs to improve living conditions for judges. The Commission's questions also referred to properties and accounts not reflected in the assets and interests declarations, as well as to the procurement of immovable and movable assets at below market prices. The entire process was...

Six more judicial candidates for position of member in the SCM will be heard by the Pre-Vetting Commission between November 30 – December 2, 2022

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the schedule of public hearings for the period November 30 - December 2, 2022 and invites representatives of the mass media, civil society, and the general public to participate, by prior e-mail notification of the Commission Secretariat at press@vettingmd.com. The hearings take place in the context of the financial and ethical evaluation of the integrity of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, in accordance with Law no. 26/2022. Therefore, six judicial candidates for position of member in the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) were invited to the interview, as follows: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Aliona MIRON, Supreme Court of Justice (10:00 a.m.) Stanislav SORBALO, Bălți Court, Head Office (2:00 p.m.) Thursday, December 1, 2022 Vasile ȘCHIOPU, Ungheni Court (10:00 a.m.) Sergiu CARAMAN, Criuleni Court (14:00) Friday, December 2, 2022 Nicolae ȘOVA, Chișinău Court, Centru Office (10:00 a.m.) Ecaterina BUZU, Orhei Court, Head Office (2 p.m.) The hearings will be held in the premises of the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1), and the list of participants will be established according to the sequence of notifications received by the Secretariat. Only people...

Three judicial candidates for the positions of SCM members passed the Pre-Vetting Commission’s evaluation

The Independent Commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for the positions of members in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors (the Pre-Vetting Commission) announces that it adopted the first decisions on passing the evaluation with respect to three judicial candidates for the positions of members in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). According to the Commission, Livia Mitrofan and Maria Frunze, judges at the Chișinău Court, Center office, and Ioana Chironeț, judge at the Chișinău Court, Ciocana office, whose public hearings were held on 7 October 2022, passed the evaluation. All three judges are running for the position of member of the SCM, while Maria Frunze is also running for the position of member of the Board for the Selection and Career of Judges. As regards the three candidates, the Commission decided that they meet the ethical and financial integrity criteria, therefore they passed the evaluation. This conclusion is part of each of the three reasoned decisions, adopted unanimously by the Commission members and submitted to the evaluated candidates and to the Superior Council of Magistracy. During the evaluation process, information from numerous sources was analyzed to assess the financial and ethical integrity of the candidates, such as the National Integrity...

Three more candidates for the position of member in the CSM, publicly heard by the Pre-Vetting Commission

The Pre-Vetting Commission heard today, October 27, 2022, three candidates from the 23 remaining in the competition for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The candidates from among career judges Vitalie Stratan, from the Chișinău Court, Head Office, Iurie Bejenaru and Anatolie Țurcan, from the Supreme Court of Justice, were interviewed in terms of financial and ethical integrity. During the hearings, the members of the Commission asked the candidates several clarifying questions related to the incomes and assets owned, based on the information obtained from public and private sources, as well as the previous communication with them. In the case of candidate judges Iurie Bejenaru and Anatolie Țurcan, Commission member Tatiana Răducanu did not participate in the evaluation, as a result of the declaration of abstention. Following the evaluation procedure, the Commission is to issue a substantiated decision regarding whether the candidate passed or failed the evaluation. The entire process was documented by video and audio, except for the deliberations, which took place behind closed doors, and the recordings will be available in Romanian and English on the website of the Pre-Vetting Commission www.vetting.md under the section Transparency/Hearings in 24 hours. On Friday, October 28, three other candidates...

The Pre-Vetting Commission will interview six candidates for the position of member in the SCM

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces that, on October 27 and 28, 2022, it will hold a new round of public hearings of the candidates registered in the competition for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM). Six candidates from among the judges, from the 23 remaining in the competition, will be heard. On Thursday, October 27, 2022, the following candidates will appear before the members of the Commission: Vitalie Stratan, judge at the Chișinău Court, Head Office (10:00 a.m.) Iurie Bejenaru (13:00) and Anatolie Țurcan (16:00) - judges at the Supreme Court of Justice. On Friday, October 28, 2022, the following will be heard: Angela Bostan, magistrate at the Chișinău Court of Appeal (10:00 a.m.) Sergiu Osoianu, judge at the Strășeni Court (1:00 p.m.) Vladislav Holban, judge at the Chișinău District Court, Head Office (4:00 p.m.) The hearings take place in open session. Civil society, media representatives and the general public can participate, by notifying in advance the Commission's Secretariat at press@vettingmd.com. Only registered people will have access to the room where the hearings will take place - the National Institute of Justice, room 108 (Alexandru Ion Cuza) (M. Kogălniceanu street corner with Serghei Lazo street 1). Note: Filming, live streaming,...

The Pre-Vetting Commission announces the adoption of a decision on the non-promotion of the evaluation by the judge candidate for the position of member in the CSM

The Pre-Vetting Commission informs the public opinion about the adoption of the decision on the non-promotion of the evaluation by the judge at the Chisinau Court of Appeal, Iurie Cotruță, as a result of his withdrawal from the contest for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The decision was brought to the attention of the SCM and the candidate, who refused publication. According to the law, the SCM publishes the decisions of the Commission on its website, in a depersonalized form, unless the candidate refuses to make the decision public. According to Law No 26/2022 on some measures related to the selection of candidates for membership in the self-administrative bodies of judges and prosecutors, the withdrawal of a candidate from the competition after the institution responsible for organizing the elections or the competition has sent the list of candidates to the Commission, is equivalent to the non-promotion of the evaluation, regardless of the reason given by the candidate. A total number of 23 candidates remained in the contest for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy, three of whom were heard by the Commission on 7 October 2022.

The first three candidates for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy, from among judges, were heard

The public hearings of the first three candidate judges for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), out of the 24 remaining in the contest, ended. The recordings from the hearings have been published and the Pre-Vetting Commission is to issue reasoned decisions about promotion or non-promotion of the evaluation by the candidates among judges. The first candidate publicly heard by the Commission was Livia Mitrofan, judge at the Chisinau Court, Centru Office, followed by the candidates Maria Frunze - judge at the Chisinau Court, Centru Office and Ioana Chironeț - judge at the Chisinau Court, Ciocana Office. During the hearings, the members of the Commission asked several questions of concretization related to the assets and incomes of the candidates, based on the information obtained from public and private sources, as well as the previous communication with the candidates. The hearings were attended by representatives of civil society and the media. The entire process of the hearings has been documented on video and audio, with the exception of the deliberations, which were held in camera, and the recordings are posted on the  https://vetting.md/audieri/ website  and the Commission's Youtube account. The Pre-Vetting Committee will hear the other 21 judge...

The Pre-Vetting Commission organizes the public hearing of three candidates for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy

The first 3 candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy will be publicly heard on October 7, starting 10:00. Individuals and media representatives may attend hearings by notifying the Commission Secretariat in advance. Please register your participation by Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at press@vettingmd.com. For reasons of public health, the admission of representatives of the media and the public to the hearings will be limited to 20 people, and the list of participants will be established according to the sequence of notifications received by the Secretariat and taking into account the public interest. NOTE: SCM candidates, subjects to evaluation, are invited to hearings at least 7 days prior to the event.

A new decision of the Pre-Vetting Commission: A candidate for the position of member of the SCM did not pass the evaluation

The Pre-Vetting Commission informs that it has examined the application of the candidate for the position of member of the Superior Council of the Magistracy, Iana Talmaci, currently a judge in the court in Strășeni. Following the deliberations, the members of the Commission decided that the magistrate did not pass the evaluation. According to Law no. 26/2022 regarding some measures related to the selection of candidates for the position of member in the self-administration bodies of judges and prosecutors, the withdrawal of a candidate from the competition after the institution responsible for organizing the elections or the competition submits the list of candidates to the Commission, is equivalent to not promoting the evaluation, regardless of the reason given by the candidate. At the same time, article 14 paragraph 1 of Law no. 26/2022 provides that the candidate has the right to contest the Commission's decision, within 5 days of receipt. To see the Decision, go to: https://www.csm.md/ro/?option=com_content&view=article&id=3472&fbclid=IwAR25uCkKCuq8jBFM1qctycOVldw-sM2Xu0PxdbQywxxulT7uUPSYwmHE8is Previously, three other judges, candidates for the position of member of the SCM, failed the evaluation. One of them is the magistrate Gheorghe Balan, from the Chișinău Court of Appeal, Buiucani office, who did not submit the 5-year Asset and Interest Declaration, which was established by...