A videoconferencing system has been launched today in Moldova to enable courts to interview witnesses and victims in criminal trials, Info-Prim Neo. The system provides video connection between the location of the witness or the victim and the courtroom. The interviewed person will appear before the judge, the defense, the prosecution and the defendant on a screen, his or her face blurred and the voice distorted to ensure security. Only the judge and the public prosecutor will have access to the witnesses' personal information and genuine video recordings. Eduard Bulat, head of the Prosecutor General's Office's anti-trafficking department, said the videoconferencing system will make it possible to protect victims and witnesses, including undercover agents. Prosecutor General Valeriu Zubco noted that such systems are largely used in most European Union countries. In Moldova videoconferencing will be used to interview witnesses in both trafficking cases and other prosecutions that involve vulnerable or intimidated witnesses. The system is also useful for its possibility to interview witnesses located abroad. U.S. Ambassador to Moldova William Moser said that the equipment for the system valued at roughly $100,000 was purchased and installed in the appellate courts of Chisinau, Balti and Cahul with the financial support of the U.S. Embassy. “We believe that this system will help Moldova implement its national legislation on witness protection. It also opens a more effective way of cooperation in international legal assistance”, stated the Ambassador. Antonio Polosa, head of the International Organization for Migration Mission to Moldova, said that with the launch of this system interviewing will no longer be associated with dangers or fear and will produce better results in investigating crimes. “Today's event marks an important step forward in our common efforts”, stated Antonio Polosa. The project is implemented as part of the "Strengthening Prosecutorial Capacities to Investigate and Prosecute Human Trafficking Cases in Moldova" Project is implemented by the IOM Mission to Moldova in partnership with the Moldovan Government, with financing from the U.S. Department of State and with the support of the U.S. Embassy.