Prosecutor General Eduard Harunjen reacted to a statement issued by civil society on December 9 whereby the method in which he was invested as prosecutor general is criticized. In his message, the prosecutor says the contest was held in transparent conditions and in accordance with the rules and he is surprised that none of those who criticize the Prosecutor General’s Office so actively applied to take part in this competition, IPN reports. 

“We were surprised by the fact that practically no representative of civil society accepted our invitation to take part in the contest to fill the vacancies of member on the three boards of prosecutors, avoiding thus the possibility of directly taking part in the management of the institution,” said Euard Harunjen.

According to the prosecutor general, direct involvement and assumption of a managerial post are required for reforming the institution, even if this is not very comfortable. “Nothing is lost. Civil society is welcome to further become involved and generate constructive ideas, which I will treat with receptivity,” he stated.

As to the mass media investigation about his property, the official said it is unserious and, in parts, amusing as his family cultivates vegetables in the hothouse and that is not a covered swimming pool. He noted the information about the size of his house, the method of acquiring the land and others is also false.

Eduard Harunjen also said that when he decided to run for prosecutor general, he did it conscious that his career is free from weaknesses as he realized what will happen. During the last few years, the Prosecutor General’s Office has been the target of attacks staged by different political and business groups that are sometimes promoted by media outlets and particular civil society representatives.

In its statement, civil society said the appointment of the prosecutor general in such a hurry seriously affects confidence in the prosecution service and fuels suspicions that this was done to achieve a hidden goal.

President Nicolae Timofti signed the decree to name Eduard Harunjen as prosecutor general on December 8, the next day after the Superior Council of Prosecutors choose him as the winner of the contest to fill the post.