Moldova’s former president faces rival’s testimony in kuliok bribery trial
Igor Dodon, the former President of Moldova and leader of the Socialist Party, has publicly welcomed the decision of his long-time rival, Vladimir Plahotniuc, to testify in the high-profile "kuliok" (black bag) corruption trial.
The statement was made in Parliament on December 18, shortly after Plahotniuc—once the country’s most powerful oligarch—confirmed his readiness to provide evidence regarding allegations of passive corruption and illegal party financing involving the former president.
"We have been waiting for him. We have always said we want Mr. Plahotniuc to appear in this case, to tell his version of what happened and how it happened," Dodon told reporters ahead of a legislative session.
However, Dodon pointed out a procedural hurdle: Plahotniuc is not yet officially listed as a prosecution witness. He emphasized that any testimony must be backed by clear legal documentation to be admissible in court. "The prosecutors did not include him in the original list. Therefore, this declaration must be formalized within the judicial records already presented to the court," the former head of state added.
The "kuliok" scandal centers on a June 2019 video recording. In the footage, Plahotniuc is seen handing Dodon a black plastic bag which prosecutors allege contained between $600,000 and $1 million in illicit cash. These funds were reportedly intended to bankroll the Socialist Party’s operations.
While Dodon has consistently dismissed the charges, claiming the video was doctored, Plahotniuc confirmed on December 15 from Chisinau’s Prison No. 13 that he would testify. Plahotniuc is currently detained there in connection with the separate "Bank Fraud" case, where he is accused of orchestrating a criminal organization to siphon off $42.7 million from Moldova's banking system.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office officially requested the testimony of both Plahotniuc and his former associate, Serghei Iaralov, during a Supreme Court of Justice hearing on December 10.
While Plahotniuc has pleaded not guilty in his own fraud trial—where he faces up to 15 years in prison—his potential testimony against Dodon marks a dramatic shift in a legal battle that has defined Moldovan politics for years.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
