Supreme Council of Magistrates concerned about accusations made by Mihai Ghimpu

The Supreme Council of Magistrates expressed its concern about the statements made by Moldova's Acting President and the Head of Parliament Mihai Ghimpu during a TV program on February 8 and described the accusations made by him against the Council as groundless, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting an official communique from the Council. During the program “In profunzime” on Pro TV Chisinau channel, Mihai Ghimpu expressed his indignation at the way in which the Supreme Council of Magistrates submitted the documents that were needed to issue the presidential decree on the dismissal of Mihail Drosu from the post of judge of the Buiucani Court of the municipality of Chisinau. After he signed the decree, Ghimpu said that he was misled by the Council as judge Drosu was to be fired for violating the legislation not on the basis of his resignation. He accused the Council and the entire judiciary of professional conspiracy to the detriment of the legislation. The same accusations were made against the prosecutors of Moldova. The Supreme Council of Magistrates replied the Acting President could choose between issuing the decree on voluntary resignation or expect until the term in office of the judge expired and sign the decree then. On the other hand, the Council says it does not have the right to reject the resignation filed by a functionary, including a judge, as this is provided as of right. The Council voiced hope that authorities' statements about the work of the judges in the future will be balanced, based on evidence and expressed in an appropriate language, given the role played by the judiciary in a democratic society. On February 2, Mihai Ghimpu signed a decree to discharge Mihail Drosu from the post of judge of the Buiucani Court on the basis of his resignation. In the middle of January, the Supreme Council of Magistrates refused to name two judges, who participated in the examination of legal cases related to the April 7 events inside the General Police Commissariat, for a new term until they reach 65. The trying of cases in such places represents a serious violation of the Constitution and the Penal Code and runs counter to article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights that guarantees the right to a fair trial. The two judges are Drosu Mihail, of the Buiucani Court, and Crutco Sergiu, of the Centru Court of Chisinau. Their terms in office were to expire on February 2 and March 16 respectively.