The strategy for reforming the prosecution services was worked out taking into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe in this respect. The strategy was designed by a working group that included representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor General’s Office, members of civil society and foreign experts, Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim said when publicly presenting the draft strategy, IPN reports.
Prosecutor General Corneliu Gurin said the reformation of the prosecutions service is necessary and is supported by the prosecutors. When implementing the strategy, emphasis will be put on increasing the independence of prosecutors, ensuring quality, meeting the international standards and applying the best practices.
Head of Parliament Igor Corman said the formulation of this strategy is a premiere for Moldova and is an example of inter-institutional cooperation.
The strategy envisions that the prosecutor general will be named for a seven-year period by the head of state, at the suggestion of the Supreme Council of Magistrates. The deputy prosecutors will be appointed by the prosecutor, with the consent of the Supreme Council of Prosecutors.
Under the strategy, the searches of private individuals or legal entities in the interests of the state will be performed only when relevant information is provided or there are reasonable suspicions. The salaries of prosecutors will be raised. The prosecutors who will continue work after retirement will receive only salary.
The head of the special group that worked out the strategy, jurist Vlad Gribincea said it is recommended that the system should consist of the Prosecutor General’s Office, specialized prosecutor’s offices and local prosecutor’s offices. The Military Prosecutor’s Office and the Transport Prosecutor’s Offices will be excluded.
The strategy for reforming the prosecution services will be implemented over the next four years. A sum of 16 million lei was earmarked for implementing the strategy in 2014.