Cojocaru’s dismissal not related to case of female detainees forced to provide sexual services

The head of the Department of Penitentiary Institutions was dismissed because of a system error and violation of the employment procedure, Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim told the press after Wednesday’s meeting of the Government, Info-Prim Neo reports. Vadim Cojocaru was appointed to the post in 2009. This March, he retired, but was reemployed by order of the former minister of justice. Yet, he was to be hired by the Board of the Ministry of Justice, explained Oleg Efrim. According to the minister, the dismissal of General Vadim Cojocaru is not connected with the case of the female detainees who were forced to provide sexual services, including for employees of the penitentiary. The minister also said that the situation is being examined and more information will be provided when the investigation is over. Veaceslav Ciobanu will hold the post of head of the Department of Penitentiary Institutions on an interim basis.