Plahotniuc Will not Challenge Sandu's Decision: There Are Other Problems in the Country

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Former leader of the Democratic Party, declared on the international wanted list, Vlad Plahotniuc, changed his mind and will not attack in court the head of state's decree, by which the Order of the Republic was revoked from him. This was announced by the ex-democrat's lawyer Lucian Rogac, tv8.md writes. "Having discussing with my client the decree issued today by Maia Sandu, he told me that he did not want to challenge this decree, he has never held on this award. Vlad Plahotniuc believes that the country has much more serious problems now that need to be solved than receiving or withdrawing awards," the lawyer commented. President Maia Sandu withdrew the Order of the Republic state award from Vlad Plahotniuc. The decree was signed on Thursday, February 18. Immediately after this decision, the businessman's lawyer said that the decree signed by Sandu was "unfounded and illegal" and they were considering challenging it in court. Vladimir Plahotniuc was awarded the Order of the Republic in 2014 by President Nicolae Timofti "for his contribution to the achievement of the main foreign policy goal of the Republic of Moldova - political association and economic integration with the European Union." In September 2019, MPs Maria Ciobanu and Stela Macari asked Igor Dodon to withdraw this award from Vladimir Plahotniuc, arguing that he was involved in the usurpation of power in the state, but the ex-president did not initiate this procedure. "Order of the Republic" is the highest state award of Moldova, which is awarded for "exceptional services in all spheres of activity for the benefit of the Fatherland and humanity." It was established on July 30, 1992.