Former Moldovan PM repeatedly goes on hunger strike

Chisinau, 31 May /MOLDPRES/ - The former prime minister, Vlad Filat, has repeatedly gone on hunger strike, as a token of protest against the decisions taken by the court. Filat’s lawyer Igor Popa, made statements to this effect today.   

According to Popa, the protest of Vlad Filat is triggered by the fact that his rights would be violated. “The notary has not come to the penitentiary to sign a mere notary act so far either. The time for walking was shortened for Mr. Filat, he did not have possibility to speak by phone and the attitude from the penitentiary is less amiable. For these reasons, he ruled to start a hunger strike,” Igor Popa said.      

Also today, another witness for the defence was heard at the court session. Subsequently, the case prosecutor, Adriana Betisor, said that this witness would have confirmed the data forming the prosecution. “The other witnesses were not present, with the defence invoking that they do not answer by phone. Other witnesses will be heard at the next session, this in case the lawyers ensure the presence of the persons,” Betisor said.    

At the same time, Igor Popa said that “the person heard confirmed the fact that he has never been influenced by some persons in taking decisions.”

Also at the today’s meeting, the magistrates turned down lawyers’ demand to hold the sessions publicly.  

Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat was detained on 15 October 2015 based on businessman Ilan Shor’s self-denouncement, according to which he had bribed the former prime minister by giving him 250 million dollars. The accusations were denied by Vlad Filat. He has been under preventive arrest for more than seven months, facing charges of influence peddling and passive corruption in the bank scam at the former Savings Bank.

The next meeting on the file of the former PM, Vlad Filat, is to take place on 3 June, within which witnesses for the defence will continue being heard.   

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor M. Jantovan)