The objectivity of the Prosecutor – on discussions’ agenda

Today, the General Prosecutor, Mr. Valeriu Zubco held discussions with the Norwegian Mission of Rule of Law Advisers (NORLAM) consisting of:

• Mr. Willy Giil – Head of the NORLAM Mission to Moldova

• Mr. Bjorn Larsen – NORLAM Rule of Law Adviser, Prosecutor

• Ms. Britt Meling - NORLAM Rule of Law Adviser, Prosecutor

• Mr. Denis Arcuşa – National Legal Consultant, NORLAM.

Together with the General Prosecutor in the meeting participated the following representatives of the General Prosecutor’s Office:

• Mr.Igor Serbinov – Deputy General Prosecutor

• Mr.Iurie Garaba – Prosecutor, Head of the General Investigations Division, Chairman of the Superior Council of Prosecutors

• Mr.Ruslan Popov – Prosecutor, Head of Criminal Investigation Control Division

• Mr.Igor Popa – Prosecutor, Head of Criminal Investigation in Exceptional Cases Section

• Mrs.Diana Rotundu – Prosecutor, Deputy-Head of International Cooperation and European Integration Section.

This event aimed at exchanging views regarding the independence and the objectivity of prosecutors, which are basic elements of the prosecutor’s role in the criminal justice system.

This topic was discussed also during the last meeting; hence Norlam manifests an increasing interest in this subject.

During discussions, the following aspects of major interest have been addressed:

• The requirement to collect evidence both against and in favour of the suspect

• The access of the lawyer to the case files at different stages of the proceedings

• Application of pre-trial detention 

• The responsibility of the prosecutor for objective and full elucidation of criminal cases

• Cooperation between prosecutors and lawyers 

• Appealing the sentence 

• Relations between prosecutors of different levels

• Performance indexes 

• Disciplinary sanctions 

All participants in the meeting agreed that objectivity is required at all stages of criminal investigation, during the Court proceedings, and also after delivering the sentence as regards eventual appeal.

The discussion also covered other relevant issues of the bilateral relations, which strengthen the basis and the substance of the dialog, i.e the opportunity of exploring new cooperation possibilities.

Mr. Valeriu Zubco referred to the Mission’s contribution to the implementation of institutional reforms in the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Moldova reiterating the interest for developing concrete projects with NORLAM’s support.

The Norwegian guests expressed their confidence that prosecution’s openness towards the European projects would decisively contribute to its success in the nearest future.

At the end of the meeting, the General Prosecutor expressed the opinion that the actions to be taken together would have a dynamic and constructive character, which should further expand the bilateral cooperation between the two institutions.