Judicial reform update: 15 judges fail vetting over financial integrity concerns

The Moldova Judicial Vetting Commission evaluated 69 magistrates in 2025, identifying significant financial integrity breaches. According to the annual report presented to Parliament, 20 judges resigned during the process, while 15 others failed due to unexplained wealth.

Latest in Ludmila Vartic death case: forensic exam confirms exact cause

Ludmila Vartic died after falling from a height. This conclusion was reached by experts in the forensic report, which stated that the 38-year-old woman’s death resulted from multiple fractures and trauma to her internal organs.

Judges warn of burnout in Moldova as court reforms trigger exits

Moldova’s judicial system is facing a severe staffing crisis, with only 388 out of 524 judge positions currently filled. The Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) is the hardest hit, operating with only half of its required bench.

Vladimir Andronachi and Victor Osipov in preventive detention for 30 days

Former Democratic MP Vladimir Andronachi and former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Victor Osipov, were placed in pretrial detention for 30 days.

Two men detained for spraying “Democracy at Home” leader with water

Two men were detained after spraying water on the leader of the "Democracy at Home" Party, MP Vasile Costiuc. The incident happened on Wednesday evening, March 25. Law enforcement officials identified one of the suspects as being originally from the Transnistrian region. Costiuc believes he was targeted in an act of intimidation.

Ex-Bucharest Court of Appeal judge appointed to Vetting Commission

Aida-Oana Popescu, a former judge of the Bucharest Court of Appeal, has been appointed as a member of the Commission for the External Evaluation of the Ethical and Financial Integrity of judges and candidates for the position of judge of the Supreme Court of Justice. This appointment was approved by 66 deputies on March 26, following the voting of a bill related to this matter.

Ex-SIS deputy Alexandru Bălan allegedly plotted to strain Moldova–Romania ties and discredit Maia Sandu

Alexandru Bălan, the former second-in-command of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) in the Republic of Moldova, was tried in Romania for attempted treason and the disclosure of state secrets. He was found in possession of several documents containing sensitive information relevant to Romanian intelligence services. According to sources from Digi24, Bălan allegedly conspired with agents from the Belarusian KGB to undermine Maia Sandu through propaganda and to create diplomatic tensions between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

Two former "Șor" party leaders remain in prison after Court of Appeal ruling

Two leaders of the former "Șor" party from Dondușeni and Fălești was sentenced to four years in prison after the Central Court of Appeal rejected their lawyers' appeal and upheld the first-instance decision.

Alexandru Machidon clears integrity assessment, awaiting Superior Council of Prosecutors’ decision

The acting Prosecutor General, Alexandru Machidon, has promoted an evaluation of ethical and financial integrity after the Prosecutors' Evaluation Commission unanimously determined that it met the legal criteria, and the report was submitted to the Superior Council of Prosecutors (CSP).

"Exaggerated": Plahotniuc disputes evidence and 25-year prison request

Vladimir Plahotniuc, the former leader of the Democratic Party, asserts that the 25-year sentence prosecutors seek for his role in bank fraud is "exaggerated." He returned to court on Wednesday, March 25, after missing several hearings, and he criticized the evidence presented by the prosecutors.

European pension gap: Moldova covers just 42% of basic needs

State pensions cover basic living costs in less than half of European countries. In the Republic of Moldova, retirees receive only 42% of the funds required for a decent life, according to a recent Moorepay analysis.

Moldova bank fraud: Plahotniuc faces 25-year maximum sentence

Moldovan prosecutors on Monday asked a Chișinău court to sentence Vladimir Plahotniuc, the country's most powerful former oligarch, to 25 years in a maximum-security prison on charges of leading a criminal organisation, large-scale fraud, and money laundering.