A former police officer, who headed the criminal investigation unit of an inspectorate in southern Moldova, was punished for refusing to take a breathalyzer test, the Leova District Prosecutor's Office said. The Cahul Court sentenced the man to 210 hours of community service and banned him from driving, IPN reports.

The man was pulled over by traffic police officers for checks on the evening of November 24, 2023. He was suspected of being intoxicated, but he refused to take the alcohol test. On January 31, 2024, the criminal case was sent to the Cantemir branch of the Cahul Court for examination on the merits. The man pleaded not guilty.

The sentence can be challenged in the Court of Appeals.

"We underline the need to strictly comply with the law and avoid drinking while driving. No position or status exempts from the consequences of illegal actions," said the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) of the Republic of Moldova.