The Party of National Unity (PUN) has fomally asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to bring criminal charges against Igor Dodon based on leaked footage. 

During a press conference on Thursday, PUN executive president Anatol Șalaru stated that Dodon's alleged actions are against the Moldovan laws, in particular those regarding national security.

The spy-camera video, which has been around for a while now, appears to show the President telling the former PDM leader Video Plahotniuc that Russia was giving money each month to the Socialist Party, which he runs informally.

Anatol Șalaru says that the complaint with the PGO is being filed now given that we have a new prosecutor general, even if ad interim. “The initiation of criminal prosecution or the failure to initiate it will serve as a litmus test of impartiality and the much-desired depoliticization of the judiciary,” said Anatol Șalaru.

Anatol Șalaru added that no one must be above the law. In his opinion, the information published in the media is sufficient for Igor Dodon to be suspended and investigated. “It is necessary that this investigation, already delayed, be launched as soon as possible in order to prevent hiding of traces, especially those concerning the financial means coming from Russia. As this complaint concerns elements representing an attack on national security, we hope that the new ad interim Prosecutor General will act as urgently as possible,” stressed Anatol Șalaru.

The complaint was filed on August 7 and, according to the PUN executive president, an answer is due within one month per the legal deadline.