The ACUM bloc candidates for councilor seats in the Trușeni commune claim that they are the target of a slander campaign started by other candidates. While they did not offer names, they said that the campaign is supported by the village parish priest.
In an IPN press conference, Nicolae Strulea, ACUM candidate for the position of councilor in the Trușeni commune, said that defamation campaign is carried out via slanderous comments on social networks and through leaflets. According to him, the campaign was at its worst on October 11, when comments and unfounded accusations aimed at the ACUM bloc candidates and their families were posted on the Facebook group Trușeni Community.
According to Nicolae Strulea, ungrounded allegations were launched against the mayoral candidate Iurie Madan, who was accused of being involved in the devastation of the wine factory in Trușeni. In fact, precisely due to his complaint the allegedly guilty persons were identified and are currently investigated. Another candidate is accused of killing a person, which is equally untrue, said Nicolae Strulea. According to the candidate, the Town Hall officials did not take action and did not notify the police even when the slanderous leaflets were brought to the halls of the institution.
The ACUM candidates said that the local priest, Andrei Sicrii, is involved in these actions by "publicly spreading, including in the church, after sermons, false information regarding the ACUM bloc candidates, especially against the mayoral hopeful, Iurie Madan”.
Mihai Condrea, a candidate for the position of councilor, said that the Church has received land on the grounds of the settlement and that the priest is currently selling it. The candidate expects Church officials to take action against the priest.
Nicolae Bulat, also a candidate, issued the initiative for all those involved with the electoral race to sign a declaration that they have no hidden interests. According to the candidate, the entire ACUM team is ready to sign such a declaration. Additionally, the ACUM bloc representatives have requested a financial audit of Trușeni for period of the last eight years.
Retrospective of electoral events of October 15, 2019