The number of persons given life in Moldova has increased. As many as 91 persons sentenced to life were held in Moldova’s jails in 2010, but in 2016 the figure rose to 118. Of these, 98.4% committed murders, IPN reports.
The data are contained in the study “Life imprisonment and parole in Moldova”, which was carried out by the Norwegian Mission of Rule of Law Advisers in Moldova (NORLAM) and was presented in a roundtable meeting on May 11.
According to the study, life in Moldova is given for 17 types of offenses, while parole in case of life imprisonment is possible only after 30 years in jail.
The introduction of more qualifying signs of crimes in the legislation by amending Article No. 145 (2) of the Penal Code (intentional murder), diminution of the highest jail term from 25 to 20 years and the Supreme Court of Justice’s call to impose harsher penalties seem to have led to the modification of the judicial practice concerning life sentences. This punishment is imposed more often and in the presence of fewer aggravating circumstances, both numerically and qualitatively, says the study.
82% of the persons sentenced to life didn’t work when they were jailed. 56% committed the offense while under the influence of alcohol, while 58% had been convicted earlier.
Attending the launch of the study, Minister of Justice Vladimir Cebotari spoke about the society’s attitude to these persons. “We haven’t yet learned how to change the perception of our society and of all those who take part in the administration of justice of those who do life,” he stated.
Over 7,000 persons are currently held in Moldova’s penitentiaries. Those who were given life are held in the Penitentiary in Rezina. Life detention is not imposed on women and persons younger than 18.
