Demolition of historical landmarks could be criminalized

A group created by the Government discusses amendments that will make it a crime to demolish historical landmarks, which will be punishable by imprisonment and fines that are tens of times greater than the existing ones. Ion Stefanita, director of the Agency for Inspecting and Restoring Landmarks and a member of the Cabinet-created group, told Info-Prim Neo that the group's mission will be to toughen penalties for those who destroy or alter without authorization historical monuments and buildings. In his opinion, to prevent such violations, they should be criminalized, and punishments should include prison time and fines no smaller than 100,000 lei, as against 3,500 lei at present. The group also proposes creating a national institute that would keep an inventory of landmarks. Buildings with a status of nationally important landmarks will be issued special certificates. Stefanita says such certificates along with a legal database will help, unlike what happens at present, to win all lawsuits involving landmarks under threat. Another task will be to reform the Agency for Inspecting and Restoring Landmarks and shift its subordination from the Ministry of Culture to the Cabinet directly. The institution will be given more authority, including to impose fines. Further, Chisinau’s General Urban Plan is to be reformed, and the District Plan is to be adopted by the City Council. The city plans will have to regulate exactly what can and what cannot be built within the city's historic center and remove gaps from the current legislation. The amendments will be sent for approval to the relevant agencies and the Government, and then submitted to Parliament for adoption. The group was created based on a Cabinet’s decision on 20 June 2012. The group includes experts of the Ministry of Construction and Regional Development, the Ministry of Culture, the Chisinau Architecture Division, the City Council and civil society members.