The defense of businessman Veaceslav Platon requested to replace the judge after this passed a decision to connect and examine together a number of applications filed by the lawyers. The request to replace the current judge was examined by another judge, but this was rejected, IPN reports.
The businessman’s lawyer said he submitted to court three applications concerning the replacement of remand detention at the beginning of October, but their examination is delayed even if the legislation provides that these should be dealt with during ten days. Furthermore, the judge decided to connect the applications even if the legislation does not provide for the merger of these.
“I asked in court that the three applications should be examined separately, with each of the arguments provided by the lawyers. Thus, Veaceslav Platon considered that this judge flagrantly violates his rights as a connection is not stipulated and asked to replace the judge, but the request was rejected,” stated the lawyer.
Veaceslav Platon also asked to invite the mass media to the hearing, but this request was rejected too. As a result, Veaceslav Platon filed another application to have the judge replaced and this is to be examined yet.
The lawyer said in the October 21 hearing the judge examined yet the prosecutors’ application that was submitted one day earlier.
When being brought to the hearing, the businessman told the press that the Plahotniuc regime is a fascist one and will kill people. He also said that he fears nothing.
Veaceslav Platon is accused of swindle and money laundering by which damage of over 800 million lei was caused to Banca de Economii. The prosecutors reached the conclusion that the money, obtained illegally in the form of loans, was transferred to a number of offshore companies in order to hide their illegal origin. Afterward, a part of this money was used to repay loans raised from Moldovan banks.
The accused pleads not guilty.
