The head of the Buiucani branch of the Green Areas service was arrested on charges of professional misconduct within a criminal case that was started after a woman was crushed to death by a falling tree on Vasile Lupu St on June 14, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, decision makers of the service were informed by locals about the danger of the tree falling, but didn’t react and didn’t ensure efficient examination of the trees situated in the area in their charge.

Professional misconduct carries a penalty of up to six years in jail and ban on holding particular posts and carrying out particular activities for a period of five to ten years.

The Prosecutor General’s Office also ordered taking legal action in the case of the fall of a tree onto two vehicles in Buiucani district the same day. By order of the acting prosecutor general, both of the criminal cases were withdrawn from the Chisinau Prosecutor’s Offices and merged into one.

A joint prosecution group consisting of prosecutors and prosecution officers will be set up to investigate all the circumstances of this case, including the actions of decision makers of the public authorities that didn’t take measures to cut down trees that pose a real threat to the safety of people and their property.