General Assembly of Prosecutors meets today despite attempts to annul it
The General Assembly of Prosecutors is meeting today after a break of almost three years, despite attempts by some prosecutors who have not passed pre-vetting to have it annulled. The Supreme Court of Justice (SJC) decided to re-evaluate 21 candidates who failed the test. The SCJ's decisions have been criticised by representatives of the government.
New members of the High Council of Prosecutors (PSC) are to be appointed at the assembly. Only candidates who have passed the external evaluation can take part in the competition.
The Pre-Vetting Commission announced on July 12 that it had concluded the evaluation of the group of candidates for the position of PSC member. Eighteen candidates had registered for the competition, and following the checks, the Pre-Vetting Commission issued eight decisions of promotion and ten unfavourable decisions of integrity evaluation.
Prosecutor Cristina Gladcov expressed her dissatisfaction with the fact that the Council members approved the list of candidates for the position of PSC member proposed for election at the Assembly. Gladcov said she had been restricted in her right to stand for election.
On August 1, the SJC issued 21 decisions ordering the re-evaluation of 14 judges and four jurists running for the posts of members of the SJC and three prosecutors vying to join the SJC. Justice minister Veronica Mihailov-Moraru said the SJC's decisions will not stop justice reform.
The three prosecutors seeking membership of the PSC, Cristina Gladcov, Anatolie Gîrbu and Vitalie Codreanu, have called for the postponement of the general assembly of prosecutors, scheduled for August 23. But their requests were rejected.
Acting Prosecutor General Ion Munteanu says he expects around 400 prosecutors, or 70-80% of the total number, to attend the General Assembly of Prosecutors. He also says he has no indication that any prosecutors might boycott the event.
