Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta said the soldier who raped a 13-year-old boy in his native village was drafted into the army in July. In two months, he underwent an operation and was allowed to stay at home for 15 days. The rape was allegedly committed then. “The army did not manage to change this 18-year-old man during two months. I do not know details, but this is not the first case of rape involving soldiers,” said Vitalie Marinuta. According to the minister, if the court finds him guilty, the soldier will be discharged from the army. Alexandru Josan, press office of the Ministry of Defense, told the press that the abused boy had reportedly been raped by other persons from the settlement. “The prosecutors will investigate the case to establish why the teachers did not react as there were rumors about other cases of sexual abuse involving this minor,” said Alexandru Josan. The press reported recently that a soldier is suspected of raping a 13-year-old boy at school in October. The soldier is held at a penitentiary in Balti. The case is investigated by the Balti Military Prosecutor’s Office.