Witness in case of Botnari and Papuc modifies testimony

The police commissioner of Rascani district Valentin Cucos, who is a witness in the case concerning the maltreatment of young persons in April 2009 and was the deputy commissioner of the same district in that period, said the protests were staged by the then Opposition. In the September 13 hearing, Valentin Cucos said the personnel who was in the Parliament last April left the building on the instructions of the then commissioner of Rascani Sergiu Paiu. Asked by the judge why he earlier said the instructions were given by former commissioner of Chisinau Vladimir Botnari, Cucos said it was a mistake, Info-Prim Neo reports. “It was a mistake. I mixed things up. I can now say I'm sure the instructions were given by commissioner Sergiu Paiu,” Valentin Cucos said. Sergiu Paiu is now commissioner of Botanica district. Cucos also said that there were opened 15 criminal cases against protesters who caused bodily injuries to police officers, but the charges were later dropped, following amendments to the legislation. Two criminal cases were started against policemen over maltreatment of young people. Another witness, Vasile Zghibata, who was deputy commissioner of Rascani in April 2009, said he does not know if legal cases were opened against police officers or protesters. Before the hearing, prosecutor Sergiu Rosu asked the judges not to allow the press to attend, saying some of the witnesses can make reference to secret documents. Gheorghe Avornic, lawyer for the former commissioner Vladimir Botnari, supported this proposal, saying the witnesses become nervous and confused when they see the video cameras. But the proposal was rejected. Four of the five summoned witnesses have been questioned. The hearing will continue on Tuesday, September 14, starting at 10am. Former Minister of the Interior Gheorghe Papuc and former commissioner of Chisinau Vladimir Botnari are investigated in the case of the April 2009 events.