Deputy Head of Parliament responsible for justice Andrian Candu said the jailing of the Telenesti judge Gheorghe Popa for acts of corruption is a result of the justice sector reform. He voiced hope that this example will make other judges more responsible, IPN reports, quoting the TV channel Prime.
According to Andrian Candu, the given case shows that the fight against corruption shifted from words to deeds. These are the effects of the measures and reforms started by the current government four years ago. It’s time for particular persons to be replaced by a new generation of more honest and sincere people. The adoption of the European values implies real justice that would contribute to the people’s welfare.
Gheorghe Popa was found guilty of taking US$200 bribe and was sentenced to seven years behind bars. He was also fined 160,000 lei. This is the harshest punishment ever imposed in Moldova for acts of corruption. The judge pleads not guilty and intends to appeal the decision.
“I never accepted blame because I do not consider myself guilty. It was a setup organized by the National Anticorruption Center together with agents under cover and swindlers,” stated Gheorghe Popa.
“We do not think that this is a case started by order. We clearly proved that it was an offense,” said anticorruption prosecutor Octavian Yakimovski.
Gheorghe Popa is the first Moldovan judge jailed for acts of corruption after 2000.
Today, April 9, the Causeni District Court is to pronounce sentence in the case of a judge of the Bender Appeals Court, who is accused of illegally passing judgment that had serious consequences. The prosecutors demand sentencing the judge to four years in prison.
