Vasile Costiuc, president of Democrația Acasă Party, was formally designated by police investigators as a suspect in a criminal case, after the politician physically assaulted a hotel employee in a parking lot in early August.

Costiuc, who runs for Chisinau mayor, told reporters outside the police station that the charges against him illustrate “how the system retaliates against those who refuse to keep their mouths shut”. Costiuc suggested that the case was started in response to him blowing the whistle on a Cabinet member who allegedly failed to declare his ownership of a house.

As for the incident itself, Costiuc’s lawyer said that it originated after the hotel had “abusively occupied a parking space” and his client tried to do something about it. The charges are for “hooliganism”, which carry a punishment of up to 3 years in prison.

Lawyer Ion Cobîșenco went on to claim that, as per the first medical examiner’s report, the hotel employee appeared to have suffered no bodily harm. “But then the injured party brought additional medical certificates, and the investigator ordered another examination. If it finds that no harm was caused, the case will be closed and the charges against Costiuc will be dropped”, added the lawyer.

The incident was caught on CCTV cameras. After the incriminating footage came out, Costiuc confirmed its authenticity, apologizing and declaring that he was against violence.

Meanwhile, Costiuc continues to be a suspect in another criminal case which was initiated in 2022. He is believed to have been involved in fraudulent sale of land in Chisinau’s suburban town of Durlești.