Vetting Commission faces candidate shortage for SCJ vacancies

With 103 finalized evaluations out of 183 notifications, including 63 promotions and 40 failed integrity tests, the Judges Vetting Commission is nearing the completion of the process for sitting judges. The evaluation deadlines for other categories have been extended.

Judges Evaluation Commission has new leadership: Andrei Bivol elected president, Marcel van de Wetering – vice president

The Judges Evaluation Commission, commonly referred to as the Vetting Commission, has announced a new leadership team. In a unanimous vote by its nine members, Andrei Bivol, a national member and former vice-president, was elected as the president of the Commission. Additionally, Marcel van de Wetering, an international member, was appointed as the vice-president.

Drugs worth one million lei seized at Balti entrance; two men detained by police

Law enforcement officers found drugs valued at around 1,000,000 lei at the entrance to the municipality of Bălți. The illegal substances were being transported in a vehicle driven by a 34-year-old man from Chișinău, according to the police.

Venice Commission rapporteurs on working visit to Chisinau to evaluate the PACCO project

A delegation from the Venice Commission will be visiting the Republic of Moldova on November 10-11. This visit is part of the process to develop a joint opinion between the Venice Commission and the Directorate General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law of the Council of Europe regarding the initiative to establish the Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (PACCO).

Moldova proves capacity to bring Vladimir Plahotniuc to justice

The Republic of Moldova has proven, through its recent actions, its capacity to bring to justice individuals involved in high-profile corruption and organized crime, such as Vladimir Plahotniuc.

Chisinau school and kindergarten directors targeted in corruption case

Problematic public procurement practices have been identified in educational institutions in Chisinau. On Thursday, November 6, anti-corruption officers and prosecutors conducted searches at multiple kindergartens and schools as part of a criminal investigation into corruption and abuse of office. Nine individuals are currently under investigation, including the director of the General Directorate of Education, Youth, and Sports (DGETS), two school principals, a kindergarten manager, and several business representatives.

“Debts” of €12,000 for 200 grams of gold: two Călărași residents detained for blackmail

He spent the night at a fellow villager's house, and that night almost cost him 12,000 euros. A man from Călărași was accused by two villagers of stealing 200 grams of gold and was subsequently blackmailed into paying a debt of 12,000 euros.

Searches in the "TUX" case: five people detained for money laundering and tax evasion

Five individuals, aged between 30 and 45, including the founders of the investment platform "TUX," were detained for 72 hours on the morning of November 6. The arrests followed 28 searches conducted as part of an investigation into the "TUX" platform, which is suspected of engaging in illicit entrepreneurial activities, money laundering, and tax evasion.

Harsher sentence for underworld leader Vladimir Moscalciuc, alias "Makena"

Centru Court of Appeals has increased the sentence of Vladimir Moscalciuc, the head of the Makena criminal organization, to 25 years in prison. This decision follows an appeal by prosecutors from the PCCOCS, who argued that the original sentence of 21 years was too lenient. Moscalciuc was convicted for ordering the assassination of a rival criminal leader in a closed-regime prison in 2008.

Țuțu trial: defense contests evidence, prosecutors to deliver position on November 7

During a recent court hearing, the lawyers of former Democratic MP Constantin Țuțu reiterated their arguments concerning several inequities observed during the criminal investigation. They requested the termination of the criminal trial. The hearing took place once again without the presence of the defendant, who faces charges of influence peddling and illicit enrichment.

EU REPORT | Moldova makes progress in justice, but faces major challenges in combating organized crime, migration, and border security

The Republic of Moldova is making notable progress in areas such as justice, combating organized crime, and border management. However, the effectiveness of law enforcement institutions remains hindered by limited resources, high staff turnover, and the need to fully align with EU standards and directives. This information is outlined in the latest enlargement report approved by the European Commission on November 4.

Bashkan Evghenia Guțul cannot justify assets worth over 1.2 million lei, including a diamond necklace

Evghenia Guțul, the Bashkan of Gagauzia, is currently in detention after being sentenced to seven years in prison by a first-instance court for illegally financing the former "Șor" Party. The National Integrity Authority (ANI) discovered a discrepancy of over 1,249,000 lei between the assets owned by the Guțul family and their reported income from 2024 to 2025, which Guțul was unable to justify.