Dragalin Explained Why She Denies Parliament’s Invitation

Veronica Dragalin believes that the invitation of the deputies of the Parliamentary Committee for Legal Affairs, Immunities and Appointments on the “Raducanu case” “resembles political control over the prosecutor’s office.” Therefore, the head of the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office is ready to inform in writing “the aspects they want to clarify.” Veronica Dragalin sent a letter to this effect to Veronika Roska, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Legal Affairs, Immunities and Appointments. “The hearing by the Commission members of a prosecutor or a judge, regardless of the position held, is outside the legal framework regulating the subject of activity and functional powers of the Committee for Legal Affairs, Immunities and Appointments, provided for by the Decision of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova No. 86 of 29.07.2021. The summoning and hearing of the prosecutor by the Committee is contrary to its role and purpose, as there is neither such a legal obligation for prosecutors nor any account of subordination that justifies such a procedure, which would resemble political control over the prosecutor’s office, and according to Article 124 of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, the prosecutor’s office is an autonomous state institution of the judiciary. Prosecutors may provide information of public interest, but this does not imply giving explanations or justifications for the decision taken, as well as clarifying procedural aspects of the development of pending cases, and politicians should refrain from ordering justice, as confirmed by the Constitutional Court in decisions No. 29 of 23.09.2013, No. 20 of 04.06.2014,” reads the letter sent to Veronica Rosca. Olesea Stamate, a member of the Committee for Legal Affairs, Immunities and Appointments, said on TV that it was “very offensive” that Veronica Dragalin refused to appear at a meeting of the parliamentary committee to give details about the investigation into the “Tatiana Raducanu case”. Let us recall that Tatiana Raducanu resigned in mid-May 2024, after information appeared in the public about her ties with Veaceslav Platon and Ilan Sor. She allegedly followed the instructions of Veaceslav Platon and Aureliu Colenco, the latter currently being Ilan Sor’s chief lawyer. Tatiana Raducanu denied the accusations. On Thursday, 16 May, the resignation of Tatiana Raducanu was approved by Parliament. On 13 June, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office opened criminal proceedings to investigate alleged illegal acts of active corruption. According to information previously provided by the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, the case involves Tatiana Raducanu, a former member of the Pre-Vetting and Vetting Commissions.