The lawyers for Vlad Filat announced that they submitted a new appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice in the case of the ex-Premier. Lawyer Igor Popa requested the Court to quash the decisions of the national courts, to retry the case and to pronounce a new judgment by which Vlad Filat would be acquitted and set free, IPN reports.

In a press release, the defense says the annulment appeal (an extraordinary appeal method) was filed because the domestic law enables the Supreme Court to remedy the abuses and violations committed when trying Vlad Filat. In his application, Igor Popa enumerated a number of fundamental vices that led to the illegal conviction of Vlad Filat.

The lawyer invoked the closed character of the hearings, violation of the right to an effective remedy and of the right to defense, non-explanation of court decisions and others. The defense considers the rehabilitation of Vlad Filat before the ECHR passes judgment will free Moldova from a new conviction at the European Court of Human Rights.

In August, Vlad Filat filed an application to the ECHR. The former Prime Minister complained that a number of rights guaranteed by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms were violated during his trial. In 2015, Vlad Filat also submitted a complaint to the ECHR, concerning the detention conditions at Penitentiary No. 13 and his illegal arrest.

Vlad Filat was sentenced to nine years in jail for abuse of power and passive corruption following a self-denouncing statement made by Ilan Shor, who said that he offered money and presents worth about US$ 250 million to Vlad Filat when this served as Premier in exchange for governmental services. Vlad Filat pleads not guilty.