Igor Popa, the lawyer for the former Prime Minister Vlad Filat, said the case of his client, who is accused by prosecutors of acts of corruption, has nothing to do with the ‘theft of the US$1 billion’ from Moldovan banks, while Filat will not enjoy a fair trial in Moldova. The lawyer made such statements in the talk show “Place for dialogue” on Radio Moldova station, IPN reports.

Igor Popa stated that the case of Vlad Filat has nothing to do with the ‘theft of the billion’, while the impression that this was involved in the bank frauds was created in society by particular political forces, media outlets and analysts.

“I don’t think that we will have a fair trial in the Republic of Moldova. The actions of the prosecutors and judges confirm this. Filat was held illegally after the Constitutional Court decided that the arrest warrants are valid for at most 30 days. The fact that the hearings are held being closed doors is also a violation. The presumption of innocence was violated as well,” said the lawyer.

According to Igor Popa, the ex-Premier’s right to vote as an MP and other rights are infringed. “Filat wasn’t deprived of the seat of MP. He should be escorted to the Parliament sittings to be able to vote or at least his vote from a distance should be recognized. There is a precedent when Parliament recognized the distance vote of Ilie Ilascu, when this was in detention,” he stated.

The lawyer transmitted a message of Vlad Filat, where this says he regrets that he didn’t manage to complete what he started in 2009 and asks the citizens not to lose hope. “I think the Republic of Moldova still has a chance of having a better government,” Filat wrote in his message.

The ex-Premier pleads not guilty.