President Maia Sandu’s bill concerning the creation of a specialized anticorruption institution was remitted to Parliament. The President’s Office said the legislative initiative was improved with proposals formulated by civil society, judges, prosecutors and the development partners, IPN reports.
“The goal of the bill is to combine the forces in the fight against corruption and to ensure swift and high-quality examination of complex cases of corruption. It regulates the organization and work of the court specialized in cases of corruption and of the Anticorruption Panel of the Chisinau Appeals Court,” says a press release issued by the President’s Office.
Besides acts of corruption and related acts of corruption, the specialized courts will also examine the legality of ascertaining documents issued by the National Integrity Authority and the Authority’s requests to confiscate unjustified property.
The court will have up to 15 judges chosen at a contest by the Superior Council of Magistracy and named (including by transfer) by the President. For selection purposes, the SCM will have extra powers to determine the integrity and probity of candidates.
The salary of judges of the Anticorruption Court will be similar to the salary of judges of the Supreme Court of Justice following the reform, of about 45,000 lei. The salaries of clerks and assistants will also be significantly raised. As additional guarantees, the judge will benefit from state guard at request and company apartments for those from outside Chisinau.
The Anticorruption Court will start work in accordance with the provisions of the given law when the President names at least five judges, at the proposal of the Superior Council of Magistracy. The Anticorruption Panel of the Chisinau Appeals Court will start work when the President appoints at least four judges, at the proposal of the SCM.
The bill is to be debated and adopted by Parliament.