Wrestling coach Grigore Postica has challenged in court the withdrawal of the Civic Merit Medal, a distinction that President Maia Sandu revoked less than two months after awarding it.
According to anticoruptie.md, Postica filed a request with the Chisinau District Court on December 19, seeking to annul the presidential decree. The court rejected the request, citing failure to follow the mandatory preliminary procedure.
Judge Ina Pruteanu ruled that the court could not examine the request in its current form. Postica may submit a new request after correcting the deficiencies or may challenge the ruling at the Chisinau Court of Appeal, Centru branch.
President Maia Sandu withdrew the distinction on December 5, 2024, through a decree that also targeted Andrei Golban, president of the Judo Federation. Both publicly criticized the decision and referred to their contribution to promoting the image of the Republic of Moldova.
Grigore Postica works as a wrestling coach and competes as an active athlete in international events. In 2024, he placed third at the European Veterans Cup in Tbilisi, and in 2023 he ranked fifth at the World Veterans Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Authorities are investigating Andrei Golban in a criminal case for abuse of power, which is currently pending before the Supreme Court of Justice.