The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office (PA) has published its official opinion on the draft law regarding the dissolution of specialized prosecutor’s offices and the creation of a new institution to combat corruption and organized crime. PA warns that the adoption of this law could lead to a significant increase in high-level crime, severely affecting the fight against corruption, IPN reports.
The document was sent to national and international authorities, including the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the European Commission, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes that the draft law raises a series of legal and constitutional concerns.
The institution highlights that this legislative amendment would suspend ongoing investigations indefinitely, giving an advantage to those involved in high-level corruption cases. It also underscores that establishing a new prosecutor’s office would take years to become operational, leaving a dangerous institutional void.
Another concern raised by PA is the risk of concentrating power within a single specialized prosecutor’s office. According to PA, this could create new vulnerabilities to political influence, jeopardizing the impartiality of corruption investigations during a crucial election year for Moldova.
Additionally, anticorruption prosecutors argue that the lack of resources allocated for investigating high-level corruption is one of the main issues that should be addressed, rather than a reorganization that would significantly weaken mechanisms for combating economic crimes.
The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office further warns that the draft law could contravene constitutional provisions regarding the rule of law and the separation of powers. According to the opinion submitted, dismantling a strong anticorruption institution on the eve of an election year could undermine public trust in the judiciary.
Another argument presented in PA’s analysis is that, in December 2024, the Government of the Republic of Moldova acknowledged the progress made by the institution in combating corruption, according to reports submitted to international organizations. The European Commission also highlighted the efforts made to confiscate illicit assets and hold high-ranking officials accountable.
According to PA representatives, the decision to dismantle specialized prosecutor’s offices is controversial, with significant implications for the fight against corruption. While the government argues the need for restructuring, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office warns of the risks posed by such a change.
