Serghei Cociorva tenders resignation

The police commissioner of the municipality of Chisinau Serghei Cociorva handed in his resignation. The decision was announced on April 1 after Prime Minister Vlad Filat went to the General Police Commissariat, where he examined the detention conditions and chaired a working meeting. The Premier said it would be right if those who are investigated in the cases concerning the April 2009 events temporarily leave their jobs, until the investigations are completed, Info-Prim Neo reports. After the meeting, Vlad Filat told the press that as a result of discussions with the administration of the General Police Commissariat, Serghei Cociorva decided to resign. The head of the Ministry of the Interior's press office Chiril Motpan said Serghei Cociorva was not forced to offer his resignation. “The decision was made by himself. Nobody compelled him to do so. He said he does not want to hinder the work of the Commissariat during the investigations,” Chiril Motpan stated. “Cociorva can return to his post when his innocence is proven.” Serghei Cociorva denies the accusation that he took part in the maltreatment of young people in police stations in April 2009. Minster of the Interior Victor Catan said an inquiry is held to identify the persons involved in the April events. It was established that the former administration of the Ministry of the Interior allowed abuse and did not fulfill their duties on that night. The minister said the images taken by the cameras places on the Government's Building, which were made public by Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca on April 1, are examined by the police. An investigation was launched over them. Vlad Filat said the police had been the most politicized organization during the eight years of Communist government. He instructed Minister Victor Catan to suspend from post all the employees suspected of involvement in the violent repression of the protesters on April 7, 2009, until the investigations are finished. The Premier called on the Prosecutor General's Office to responsibly examine the proofs that emerged and take the required legal measures so that all those involved do not affect the investigations, the Government says in a communique, quoted by Info-Prim Neo.