Government faces backlash over reduced corruption penalties
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has rejected accusations by the Ministry of Justice, which alleged that the institution "misinterpreted" and "showed bias" in its assessment of recent amendments to the Criminal Code.
These amendments, which reduced penalties for parliament members, ministers, judges, and prosecutors implicated in corruption cases, were promoted and adopted by the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and came into force in autumn 2024. According to anti-corruption expert Mariana Kalughin from Transparency International Moldova, the amendments highlight a "flawed" legislative process that prioritizes the interests of specific groups and casts doubt on the government’s commitment to combating corruption.
"The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office did not misinterpret or show bias in its interpretation of the amendments to the Criminal Code (Law no. 136/2023), which took effect on September 7, 2024, reducing penalties for several corruption offenses," the PA stated in a response to Teleradio-Moldova following allegations by the Ministry of Justice.
Furthermore, the institution's representatives emphasized that the amendments also led to reduced penalties for other corruption offenses, including those committed by international officials, public dignitaries, and foreign public figures. Penalties were similarly reduced for offenses such as influence peddling (Article 326), abuse of office (Article 327), and exceeding official authority (Article 328).
Anti-corruption expert criticizes lack of justification for criminal code amendments
While the Ministry of Justice argued that the amendments clarify existing legislation and ensure fair penalties, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office expressed concern over the reduced sanctions for bribery. Meanwhile, Mariana Kalughin questioned the government’s dedication to fighting corruption, stating:
"It seems that lawmakers, as public dignitaries, effectively acted in their own interest by amending legislative texts. In my view, this is not only a flawed legislative process but also a clear example of advancing the interests of certain groups at the disproportionate expense of the public good. (…) The government’s stance on corruption is perplexing. On the one hand, its National Security Strategy identifies corruption as the sole internal threat. On the other hand, it reduces penalties for corruption offenses without providing any statistical justification. This vague and inconsistent position undermines the government’s credibility in the broadest sense," Kalughin remarked during the "Zi de Zi" (Day-by-Day) program on Radio Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
