The candidates for the posts of judge and prosecutor may be obliged to take the polygraph test, IPN reports, quoting a bill with amendments to the legal acts referring to the reformation of justice.

Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim said the polygraph test cannot represent an incontestable proof of the integrity of judges, but, together with other evidence in the process of selecting candidates, can contribute to avoiding choosing unsuitable persons.

The amendments also ban the judges from communicating with the sides involved in a trial. They add to the Criminal Code a provision allowing fully confiscating the illegally obtained property, increase the fines for corruption acts and introduce a new offense – illegal enrichment.

“If the judges break these norms, they will be liable to disciplinary punishment and fine and will be removed from the judicial system. For corruption acts, the judges will be punished with a fine of up to 200,000 lei or three to seven years’ imprisonment. They will also be unable to hold public posts for a period of 15 years,” said the minister.

After the Government’s meeting, Oleg Efrim told the reporters that only one judge was jailed for acts of corruption, in 1995.

The minister said the changes are aimed at implementing the principle of zero tolerance of corruption in the legal system and at excluding any inappropriate influence on judges and interference in justice.