Viorel Morari says Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo abused his authority when dismissing him from the post of head of the Anticorruption Prosecution Service. Considering his dismissal to be “against the law”, Morari has asked the Prosecutors Superior Council to probe Stoianoglo’s decision.

During a press conference on Monday, Viorel Morari recalled that he was suspended from the job following the opening of a criminal investigation against him in January 2020. “As long as I have been suspended because of legal proceedings against me, I am entitled to expect that in the eventuality that the court decides to exonerate me or terminate the prosecution, I can be restored to the job that I held before being suspended. But no. The prosecutor general decided, in an abusive manner, to unilaterally terminate my employment”, said Viorel Morari.

Morari went on to argue that, due to his suspension, it was illegal for the prosecutor general to cite the expiry of Morari’s term in office as a reason for his dismissal.

On a different subject, Viorel Morari criticized the Prosecutor General’s Office for not making progress on some high-profile cases, echoing the criticism voiced lately by the PAS-led government, which wants Alexandr Stoianoglo replaced.

In January 2020, Viorel Morari was accused of abuse of office, tampering with evidence and obstruction to justice in a case that involved the illegal jailing of a gas station magnate with the alleged purpose of taking over his business. As the investigation progressed, Morari was faced with further charges, including illegal detention and illegal prosecution, unjust enrichment and money laundering, among others. After spending some time in remand, Morari was released and is now being prosecuted under court-ordered supervision.

On August 12, Prosecutor General Stoianoglo ordered Morari’s removal from office. Morari sued in response.