Former Minister of the Interior Gheorghe Papuc and former General Police Commissioner Vladimir Botnari, who were accused of professional negligence during the April 2009 events, were sentenced to jail. The sentence was passed by the Chisinau Appeals Court on January 19.

Contacted by IPN, Prosecutor Artur Lupascu said that Gheorghe Papuc got four years, while Vladimir Botnari – two years. The sentence can be appealed to a higher court.

The prosecutors accused Gheorghe Papuc of negligence that resulted in the death of Valeriu Boboc. Gheorghe Papuc was accused of doing nothing to end violence and to prevent protests.

The trial against Botnari and Papuc started in June 2010. At the end of 2011, the Centru District Court acquainted the two generals.