Parliament has adopted a set of amendments clarifying the definition of “high treason” (“trădare de patrie”, literally “treason against the homeland”) and introducing other rules regarding environmental, military, and cyber crimes. The amendments were voted on today in the third, final reading.

In the updated iteration, “high treason” is defined as “the act committed intentionally by a citizen of the Republic of Moldova against the sovereignty, independence, unity, indivisibility, security or defense capacity of the Republic of Moldova, in the interest of a foreign state, a foreign organization, an unconstitutional entity or representatives thereof, by aiding activities that are hostile to the security of the state”.

According to MP Radu Marian, the old definition was not specific enough as to how to determine “the enemy undertaking hostile actions”. He added that “disinformation” will not count as treason under the Criminal Code, dismissing concerns voiced by civil society.

The amendment was earlier criticized by the human rights organization Amnesty International, which feared that the new definition would threaten freedom of expression. The human rights group Promo-Lex also voiced concerns, saying the proposed definition had not been consulted with civil society.