The criminal case for sexual harassment started against judge Oleg Melniciuc was sent to court. The defendant pleads not guilty, IPN reports.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said that, between February and April 2022, the accused, working as a judge, took advantage of his status and position of leader of the internship carried out by a 19-year-old college student. He allegedly led her to unwanted sexual actions, luring her for several times into his office. In these circumstances, the defendant created an unpleasant and humiliating atmosphere for the victim.
According to the state prosecutors, as a result of the illegal acts, the victim suffered psychological trauma, including sense of danger, helplessness, alertness with increased hypervigilance, low self-esteem, pronounced feeling of unsuitability and insufficiency.
The judge was accused of sexual harassment, manifested by physical, verbal and nonverbal behavior, which harms the dignity of the person and creates an unpleasant, degrading and humiliating atmosphere in order to lead a person to sexual intercourse by coercion.
Under the Criminal Code, the judge faces a fine of 25,000 to 32,500 lei, 120 to 180 hours of community service or up to two years imprisonment.
Previously, the Superior Council of Magistracy said that Oleg Melniciuc does not examine cases and does not benefit from the salary of a judge as he was suspended from office in 2022 in connection with the passing by the Anenii Noi Court of a sentence in another case, of illicit enrichment. The sentence is not final and Melniciuc also pleads not guilty in this case.
