Convicted police colonel claims political persecution in Plahotniuc-linked ghost employment case
Valeriu Cojocaru, the former head of Moldova’s Special Operations Directorate (DOS), confirmed he is currently in Hungary after being sentenced to three years in prison on January 19.
The Chisinau Court found Cojocaru guilty in a high-profile "ghost-employment" case involving Dorin Damir, the godson of oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc. Cojocaru claims he is in Nagylac, Hungary, for "business purposes" and denies fleeing justice.
Claims of political retaliation
Writing on social media, the former colonel dismissed the court’s decision as "politicized" and a "revenge act" by the current administration. He warned international agencies, including Interpol and Europol, not to be used as a "political cudgel" by Moldovan authorities.
Cojocaru maintains that he and other DOS officers are being targeted because they previously documented the actions of President Maia Sandu and Speaker Igor Grosu during their time in the opposition (2016–2019).
The ghost-employment scheme
The case centers on the illegal 2017 recruitment of Dorin Damir into the DOS, a specialized unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Damir was allegedly given the undercover alias "Holrio" and a rank of chief inspector.
Prosecutors proved that Damir never actually reported for duty despite receiving a steady salary from the state budget. The court has ordered the defendants to repay €8,670 (approx. 170,000 MDL) in damages to the state.
Status of the co-defendants
While Cojocaru remains abroad and former Police Chief Alexandru Pînzari is currently being sought by authorities, Dorin Damir surrendered to police on the evening of January 19 to begin his sentence.
The ruling is not final and remains subject to appeal in the higher courts. All defendants have pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
