The hearing scheduled for Thursday, August 10, in the trial of Judge Domnica Manole from the Chisinau Court of Appeals was delayed until August 21. This comes after the Supreme Justice Court had already delayed it last week, IPN reports.

Today, the SJC was supposed to examine an appeal against the Superior Council of Magistrates’ decision regarding Domnica Manole’s incompatibility with the position of Judge. The Council’s decision was based on information from the Security and Intelligence Service. In addition to this, the Court was to rule on the unconstitutionality exception of the provisions concerning judges from the Law on verification of holders and contenders for public office.

Protesters gathered again outside the SJC premises, in support of the judge. They chanted “Hands off Domnica Manole”, “We want fair justice”, “We are behind Domnica Manole”, “Down with Poalelungi” and others.

Domnica Manole was angered by today’s decision. According to her, the SJC was obliged by law to forward to the Constitutional Court the unconstitutionality exception appeal. She added that the Supreme Court wasn’t impartial and was trying to make her give up. Moreover, she thinks that the final goal is to completely remove her from the judiciary and prevent her from running for a spot on the Superior Council of Magistrates this autumn.

In April 2016, Domnica Manole ruled that the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) should organize the constitutional referendum initiated by the Dignity and Truth Platform. After deeming her decision clearly illegal, the Supreme Justice Court and the CEC chairman at the time Iurie Ciocan asked the Superior Council of Magistrates to investigate and punish the judge.