Hearings in Orhei Mayor's case postponed

Chisinau, 6 September /MOLDPRES/ – The preliminary hearing of the proceedings in the case of Orhei Mayor Ilan Sor scheduled for 6 September, was postponed because the defence requested additional time to examine the evidence presented by prosecutors. The announcement was made today by Andrei Baiesu, prosecutor concerned.

"The lawyers of the accused filed magistrates' request to postpone the hearing on the grounds that it needed more time to get acquainted with the case materials and express their position regarding the persons to be heard as witnesses and evidence defence," informed the source.

According to the lawyer Denis Ulanov application was submitted in order to get more informed by evidence of accusation against Ilan Sor.

"I asked for additional time to analyze all charges to be made because the file is quite large. We want to prepare more thoroughly in this folder. We will not disclose information concerning the evidence and defence witnesses, not to prejudice the investigation. I also filed another application for revocation of the preventive measure of arrest and applying a non-custodial measure, as there is the research topic of my client in custody at home," said Ulanov.

During the day, many people protested in front of the Buiucani District Court, demanding the release of the mayor of Orhei.

On 18th August, the Buiucani District Court in the capital extended by 30 days the remand warrant at the home of Orhei Mayor.

Ilan Sor was detained by the officers of corruption in a new criminal case on 22 June. The General Prosecutor's Office initiated a criminal case on his behalf again in December 2014 on dubious transactions between BEM and Banca Sociala (Social Bank). In May 2015 the businessman was placed under house arrest for 30 days, with the status of the accused in BEM case. The suspect’s lawyers rejected the accusations, saying that he pleaded not guilty.

(Reporter P. Beregoi, editor M. Jantovan)