Anticorruption prosecutor Adriana Betisor said the prosecution bodies insisted on the arrest of ex-Premier Vlad Filat so that he could not influence the investigation by intimidating witnesses and destroying evidence. The statements were made after the hearing of the Appeals Court, where the lawyers’ appeal was rejected and the Buiucani Court’s decision to extend the arrest warrant for 30 days was upheld, IPN reports.

“What was proven was included in the indictment. We are at the preliminary stage of investigation. We asked for custody not in vain. We must take measures that could be hampered by the defendant if he is on the outside,” said the prosecutor. 

As to the statements about the inconsistency between the sums invoked in Parliament and those invoked in the hearing, made by Vlad Filat, Adriana Betisor said each sum is proven by evidence.

After the hearing, Vlad Filat said that he was intentionally isolated so that he could not speak. He noted he feels fine and is morally and physically prepared to bring this struggle to an end, until the truth is discovered. According to him, Shor’s statements are deceitful. In Parliament they spoke about US$60 million and US$190 million, but now they speak about US$1 million and US$80 million loans to companies that he does not know. Filat said the presumption of innocence in this case is violated for political purposes.

On October 15, Vlad Filat was placed under arrest for 72 hours. On October 18, the warrant for his arrest was extended for 30 days.