Maia Sandu's Warning: Veaceslav Negruța's Case and Political Persecution in Moldova
Veaceslav Negruța tendered his resignation from the role of economic advisor to the President. The decree, signed by President Maia Sandu on April 26th, was published in the Official Gazette's edition of Friday, May 3rd.
Veaceslav Negruța was appointed as the economic advisor to the President of Moldova in 2020. Subsequently, through a decree signed on January 11, 2023, by the head of state, he assumed the position of Secretary General of the Presidency.
In November 2021, Veaceslav Negruța was appointed as a member of the Observers Council of SA Moldovagaz, ceasing his membership in November 2022.
Additionally, from 2009 to 2013, he served as Minister of Finance and was a member of the Supreme Security Council.
In 2012, Veaceslav Negruța became embroiled in a case of abuse of office, resulting in the Râșcani sector Court sentencing him to three years of suspended imprisonment in May 2015. Subsequently, prosecutors sought to exclude the conditional suspension of the sentence for a probationary period.
However, the magistrates of the Court of Appeal rejected both the prosecutors' appeal and that of the former minister, who sought acquittal.
During an interview with Anticorupție.md, President Maia Sandu asserted that the case brought against Veaceslav Negruța exemplifies political persecution.
"I was horrified to learn that an upright person was convicted in a country where even the most egregious offenders go unpunished. This case serves as a stark reminder of political persecution. Simultaneously, it sends a clear message from those in control of law enforcement agencies to the few upright individuals who dare to assume public positions of responsibility, indicating that their place is not within our borders," stated Maia Sandu.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
