Judge in Gumenita case instructs journalists

Judge Sergiu Lazari, who is examining the case of former police chief of Chisinau Iacob Gumenita, asked the representatives of the mass media not to film and show him on TV. “I think nothing bad will happen if the Moldovan people do not see me,” he said, stressing he is not the most important figure in this case, Info-Prim Neo reports. Sergiu Lazari said he will allow the reporters to film and record the hearings if they have an appropriate behavior. Otherwise, he will declare the hearings closed and the press will not have access to them. The judge inquired what mass media outlets are owned by businessman Vlad Plahotniuc, but did not say what the purpose of his question was. Earlier, on June 17, Sergiu Lazari treated rudely the journalists, when they tried to enter the courtroom. The hearing scheduled for September 13 was postponed until October 18 as the plaintiffs did not come. Iacob Gumenita did not make statements for the press. The former deputy police commissioner and former police chief of Chisinau Iacob Gumenita was arrested on April 15. He is accused of misconduct in office during the April 2009 events that resulted in the death of Valeriu Boboc. The case involves 19 persons - witnesses and plaintiffs.