A person was arrested in the case of kidnapping of Ukrainian judge Nicolai Ceaus on Moldova’s territory. The units of transport used to commit the offense were identified, while those involved in this case are foreign citizens, Minister of the Interior Pavel Voicu stated in a press briefing, being quoted by IPN.
According to the minister, some of the persons involved in this offense were identified, but their identity is to be verified. The police have photo and video evidence showing that the involved foreigners left the country to Ukraine. There are notes in Ukrainian, but this does not mean that the culprits are Ukrainians. No other details were made public for now.
The police were informed about the kidnapping of a person from N. Testemițanu St at about 3pm on April 3, one hour after the commission of the offense.
In a reaction, the Security and Intelligence Service denied the reports about its involvement in this case or its informing beforehand about the possible kidnapping of Nicolae Ceaus. It noted that it is analyzing the information about the incident and is cooperating with the law enforcement bodies so as to elucidate all the circumstances of this case.
President Maia Sandu requested the administration of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is responsible for ensuring the citizens’ safety, and of the Security and Intelligence Service to take measures and clarify this worrisome disappearance of a foreign citizen on Moldova’s territory.
Nicolai Ceaus is a Ukrainian citizen. In 2016, he started to be investigated for bribery and other illegalities in Ukraine. In 2017, crossing illegally Moldova’s border, he asked for political asylum from the presidential institution. His request was rejected and the refusal is now being examined at the Supreme Court of Justice. Until his request is not solved, he can move freely on Moldova’s territory and live the country. In 2019-2020, the law enforcement bodies of Moldova were repeatedly asked by Ukrainian counterparts to extradite Nicolai Ceaus.
