The defense of politician Vlad filat, who was arrested on suspicion that he organized the stealing of money from the banking system, asked to name another judge instead of Ghenadie Pavliuc to pronounce on the prosecutors’ request to extend the warrant for the ex-Premier’s arrest, IPN reports.

Vlad Filat’s lawyer Igor Popa told the journalists that the defense requested that judge Ghenadie Pavliuc should be replaced because he is related to politician Marian Lupu, who heads the Democratic Party. Also, the judge said that Vlad Filat avoids coming to the hearings, but the politician has the right to refuse to attend them.

A new judge is to be now named to pronounce on the issue.