The chemical castration of pedophiles was declared unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court Thursday pronounced on the issue following a challenge filed by ombudsman Anatolie Munteanu, IPN reports.

According to the Court, the state has the obligation to work our efficient legislation that would discourage the rapes or violent actions of sexual character, while one of the methods is to introduce severer punishments. Under the criminal legislation, the courts can impose even life imprisonment for such offenses. The chemical castration can be performed only with the consent of the person, in clear circumstances and after experts determine the necessity of such a measure.

The bill on chemical castration of pedophiles was passed by Parliament on March 6. Bill author Valeriu Munteanu said the number of sexual offenses against minors increases yearly, but the punishments stipulated by the Criminal Code are too mild. Most of the criminal cases started over such offenses are closed. Five pedophiles have been sentenced to chemical castration until now. The measure was to be applied during the last three months of the jail term.