Dumitru Ghimpu, who ran for mayor in Colonita, reports abuse by law enforcement and the current village mayor. Ghimpu stated at a press conference at IPN that a criminal case was opened against him after participating in the election, following his and the Democratia Acasa (Democracy at Home) party’s reporting of several illegal acts committed by Mayor Angela Zaporojan, who also ran in the 2023 local elections, IPN reports.
“A district police officer, under the influence of Angela Zaporojan, the current mayor, took two people who are my second-degree relatives and work for my family. The officer went to their home, took them, persecuted them, and told them, ‘You have to give statements against him, no one will know about this.’ These people, who are simple and unaware of their rights, gave very shocking statements,” claimed Dumitru Ghimpu.
According to Ghimpu, many of these statements contradict each other. “The instructions were that the case must go to court for what they call ‘electoral fraud”.
Ghimpu requested a direct confrontation with these individuals, but law enforcement did not arrange it. “The criminal investigation officer went to Colonița together with the district police officer without inviting me or my lawyer. They asked if the individuals maintained their statements, and the people said, ‘We do not know what is written and signed”.
Dumitru Ghimpu, who works abroad, also mentioned that as soon as he returned to the country, his car was stopped, and “both license plates were confiscated at the instruction of IGP head Viorel Cernauteanu”.
“I was warned by Viorel Cernauteanu that my family members and I would be rigorously investigated and face criminal cases. More cases will be opened against me at his instruction. We know direct orders have been given for us to be persecuted”, said Dumitru Ghimpu.
Vasile Costiuc, leader of the Democracy at Home party, also spoke on the matter. “All our efforts against a corrupt case have resulted in criminal cases against us. Dumitru was put on a wanted list and stopped at the airport. Is this democracy? To stop someone at the airport who wasn’t even hiding, who works in London and comes home?” said Vasile Costiuc.
Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to individuals who consider themselves affected by the news based on the statements made during this press conference, including by facilitating another press conference under similar conditions.
