The Supreme Court of Justice rejected the annulment appeal in the case of ex-Premier Vlad Filat, which was submitted by the law firm “Popa and Associates” three months ago, as groundless and inadmissible. The decision was published on the Court’s website. The application was examined in the absence of the parties and the judgment will be pronounced on December 28, IPN reports.

Vlad Filat’s lawyer Igor Popa has told IPN it is regrettable that the Supreme Court of Justice rejected the appeal. But they will not stop here. Vlad Filat will seek justice at the European Court of Human Rights. “It is regrettable that Vlad Filat will be isolated until the examination of the case at the ECHR. I think the judges who committed illegalities in the case of Filat will be punished for illegally convicting him,” stated Igor Popa.

The application was submitted on September 14. The lawyer requested again the Supreme Court of Justice to quash the decisions of the national courts of law, to retry the case and to pronounce a new judgment by which Vlad Filat would be acquitted and set free. Igor Popa invoked the closed character of the hearings, violation of the right to an effective remedy and of the right to defense, non-explanation of court decisions and others.

Vlad Filat was sentenced to nine years in jail for abuse of power and passive corruption following a self-denouncing statement made by Ilan Shor, who said that he offered money and presents worth about US$ 250 million to Vlad Filat when this served as Premier in exchange for governmental services. Vlad Filat didn’t accept blame.