Court of Appeals acquits Social-Democrat leader

The Court of Appeals pronounced a judgement acquitting the leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSDM) Eduard Music of all the charges, on grounds that the prosecution could not prove the elements of the crime alleged in the charges. Thus, the Court of Appeals quashed a judgement of a lower court in the case of Musuc. Eduard Musuc was arrested on 28 September 2006 on suspicion of misappropriation of an office building. He had allegedly bought it from a bank at a lower price than its market value. He was remanded in custody on the basis that he had committed a serious offence and had attempted to influence a witness. His numerous requests to be released were refused for the same reasons until 11 October 2006 when the Court of Appeal decided to release him on bail. As the applicant was unable to pay, he remained in detention. Ultimately, Buiucani District Court ordered his release without bail on 14 November 2006. Later, the European Court of Human rights found the Moldovan Government of violating Musuc’s rights and awarded him EUR 12,000 for damages and costs.