The court accepted the application of the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office to extend the remand detention of ex-Premier Vlad Filat for another 30 days. State prosecutor Adriana Betisor said the court’s decision derives from Vlad Filat’s behavior towards his colleagues who made statements before judges. The former Premier’s defense describes the decision as abusive and illegal and intends to appeal it, IPN reports.

“We provided sufficient arguments, including following his behavior towards his colleagues who gave testimony concerning his influence on them to make them do particular things. This risk still exists,” stated Adriana Betisor.

She noted that the remand detention was also extended because of Vlad Filat’s behavior in prison, referring to the letters that the former Prime Minister tried to secretly transmit through his lawyer. In today’s hearing the defense suggested citing another four witnesses of the 14 included in the list that was accepted by the court.

Vlad Filat’s lawyer Igor Popa said he witnessed the same scenario of automated extension of the remand detention, without evidence. The state prosecutor didn’t provide new proofs that would justify the extension decision. Also, the request to extend the detention was made almost two weeks before the expiration of the previous detention period.

“This continuous keeping of Vlad Filat under arrest is nothing else but an attempt to isolate him further and to make him keep silent so that the procedure by which the detention is extended and the content of the case of Vlad Filat are not made public,” stated Igor Popa. 

The next hearing will take place next week.