The idea that Moldovan anticorruption laws are good is a myth, according to Cristina Tarna, deputy head of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA). The statement was made during the “Politica” talk-show on TV 7, IPN reports.
Cristina Tarna argued that CNA agents had been deprived by law of several means necessary to successfully investigate corruption cases. Moreover, the government puts tremendous pressure on CNA and violates the guarantee of independence of those who must fight corruption.
“The financing of CNA is very poor. It's difficult for us to obtain funds. This year alone has seen five attempts to cut the wages of CNA officers. Instead of increasing the CNA budget, they're cutting it. It's namely through under-financing and the blackmailing of employees with wage cuts that the government puts pressure on the institution”, said the CNA deputy head.
Cristina Tarna added that the National Integrity Commission finds itself in a similar situation. “CNI members have wages between 4000 and 5000 lei and they have to verify the millions belonging to high-ranking dignitaries. It's like throwing a man not good at swimming into water and leaving him to deal with it by himself”, said Tarna.
She also reiterated her position regarding the inadequacy of the legal framework for fighting corruption. “We don't have good laws, we have bad laws. A law is good when it works and this isn't our case. As a result, the institutions themselves become nonfunctional”, concluded Tarna.