Verdict Plahotniucat
The court of first instance found Vladimir Plahotniuc guilty of all five counts in the case of the theft of a billion and a total of sentenced to 19 years in prison. The court also decided to recover $57.9 million and €5.1 million from him. Plahotniuc did not come to the announcement of the verdict. Both the prosecution and defense intend to appeal the verdict.
About the last hearing in the Plahotniuc case, which was called a “test for Moldovan justice”, as well as about the most important “points” of the trial and what’s next – in the material “How Plahotniuc was sentenced to 19 years”.
And in the material “Plahotniuc was imprisoned for the wrong reasons? Why doesn’t the verdict put an end to the story of the “capture” of Moldova? NM looked into why Plahotniuc was convicted, what episodes were left out of the process, and what this means for Moldovan politics.
Police corruption
At the Metropolitan Botanica Police Inspectorate passed searches in connection with corruption cases. Based on the search results detained six inspectorate employees, including the head of the department. They are suspected of receiving bribes from $3 thousand to $10 thousand in drug-related cases.
Minister of Internal Affairs Daniela Misail-Nikitin statedthat for now he does not consider it necessary to demand the resignation of the head of the police, Viorel Cernauteanu, since this should not be done “in every incident.” The minister said that we must wait until the investigation “examines all aspects,” after which she promised to “come forward with the necessary clarifications.”
Moldova and Russia
Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu statedthat Russia is ready “by all means” to protect its citizens in Transnistria, and accused the Moldovan authorities of trying to oust Russian troops from the region.
The Bureau of Reintegration called these statements “unfounded” and emphasized that Chisinau insists on a “peaceful” solution to the conflict, and the presence of Russian troops in Moldova is illegal.
Increase in water tariffs
In Balti and Stefan Voda will grow up tariffs for water and sewerage. In Balti, water will rise in price by 44 bani – up to 27.40 lei per cubic meter, in Stefan Voda – by 5.47 lei, up to 37.71 lei per cubic meter.
Teleradio-Moldova Annual Report
The management of Teleradio-Moldova reported to parliament on the work of the public television and radio company in 2025. Judging by the report, the work was successful: the audience grew, new programs appeared, Radio Moldova Comrat was launched, which helped “break the monopoly” on information in Gagauzia. Details are in the material “Audience, salaries and propaganda: how the annual report of Teleradio-Moldova was discussed in parliament”
The case of Lyudmila Vartik: continuation
The Parliamentary Commission on National Security held closed hearings in the case of Ludmila Vartic and asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to check whether her husband Dumitru Vartic could have influenced the investigation. It also turned out that the Hincesti district hospital hid the woman’s first suicide attempt. The exhumation of Lyudmila Vartik’s body will be carried out in early May with the participation of an independent expert from Romania. Details are in the material “The family asked not to disclose”.
Cameras in kindergartens
CCTV cameras may appear in kindergartens in Moldova. The Ministry of Education believes that this will increase the safety of children and will be a response to complaints from parents about teachers. What the residents of Chisinau think about this initiative – in a video report “Cameras in kindergartens in Moldova—protection of children or mistrust of teachers?”.
Registry for day laborers
Government approved e-Zilieri system – an electronic register of day laborers. In it, the employer will register the employee before starting work and issue a digital voucher with data about the person, hours of work and payment. The Cabinet of Ministers stated that the system should reduce undeclared labor, especially in agriculture.
Train Cantemir–Falciu
Railway section Cantemir–Falciu tested after decades of inactivity and modernization. The line, about 4 km, as stated in the Ministry of Infrastructure, should connect Moldova and Romania.
A few minutes after leaving Falciu the train broke. Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Bolya with irony named the incident is a “good sign.” According to him, “if the railway meets European standards, the locomotives must also comply with them.”
Doctors’ protection
Another incident occurred in Chisinau with an attack on an ambulance crew. Head of the Ministry of Health Emil Cheban, commenting on the incident, reportedthat the ministry is preparing amendments to the law to tighten liability for violence against health workers.
Short line
In Moldova today valid yellow danger code due to increased wind. Forecasters warned that wind gusts could reach 17-22 m/s.
In the Reut River in the Orhei region discovered suspicious spots. Possible contamination is checked by the Environmental Protection Inspectorate.
Parents of American actress Natalie Portman visited Telenesti, where their ancestors come from. The mayor of the city, Vadim Lelik, conveyed through them an invitation to the actress to organize a creative evening “Hollywood – Telenesti”.
What will happen today, April 23:
09:00 — Meeting of the Supreme Council of Prosecutors.
11:00 — Press conference of the PSRM faction.
11:00 — Event in memory of the victims of the Chisinau pogrom of 1903.
