Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca of Chisinau thinks the proceedings initiated against the head of the municipal child protection division Svetlana Chifa, could intimidate other functionaries as well. At Monday's ordinary City Hall meeting, the mayor suggested the case had strong political overtones. “I myself have been a frequent guest at the Prosecutor General's Office, but never arrested. It's rather perplexing when a lady is brutalized like this, especially since the case dates back to the period before the legislative elections and is restarted today, ahead of another legislative elections. The other colleagues could feel strongly intimidated in these circumstances”, said the mayor. He encouraged the employees of the child protection division “to try to carry on despite the psychological pressure that chokes the division”. Anatolie Haruta, the division's administrative officer, said he could communicate with Svetlana Chifa only through her lawyer. “Phone conversations are forbidden. Doctors are constantly watching Svetlana Chifa after she fell sick in the courtroom on January 16”. Svetlana Chifa is suspected by prosecutors of abusing her position and arranging illegal international adoptions. She is now under a 30-day house arrest, after spending 72 hours in remand.