Valeriu Pasat acquitted

The Chisinau Court of Appeals Thursday cleared the former Minister of Defense and director of the Security and Information Service Valeriu Pasat on the two counts of accusation: illegal sale of 21 warplanes MIG-29 and of armament. The decision can be appealed to a higher court. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Pasat’s lawyer Janeta Hanganu said that the lawyers are fully satisfied with the sentence. “The court took a legal, not political decision. The proofs at the Chisinau Court of Appeals were presented publicly, while at the previous court - at a closed hearting,” she said. “The court decided that Valeriu Pasat did not misuse his authority when he performed or monitored the transactions.” Asked if Valeriu Pasat intends to sue for damages or over the violation of his rights, the lawyer said that her clients said recently that he does not want to persecute anybody; he wants only to be exonerated. Janeta Hanganu also said that the prosecutor might appeal the decision of the Court of Appeals within two months of the moment the Court provides its motivated judgment. She said yet that it would be difficult for the higher court to make a different decision as the trial lasted for a year and the testimonies were given at public hearings and this increases the creditability. Pasat was arrested in March 2005 and accused of selling 21 warplanes MIG-29 and reactive systems “Uragan” at lower prices. In January 2006, he was sentenced to 10 years in jail. The Court of Appeals acquitted Pasat in the case of the MIGs and reduced the sentence to 5 years’ imprisonment. In May, the Supreme Court of Justice quashed the decision of the Court of Appeals and upheld the decision whereby Pasat was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Court of Appeals was obliged to reexamine the case. In July 2007, Pasat was amnestied in the case of the “Uragan” systems. After released from arrest, Pasat went to Moscow.