The activity of the Modern Democratic Party of Moldova (PDMM), a formation associated with businessman and former Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc, has been suspended for 12 months, according to a ruling issued on October 9 by the Chisinau Court of Appeal.
Judges Valeriu Arhip, Diana Corlateanu, and Nicolae Ghedrovici approved the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice against the PDMM, with the Public Services Agency (ASP) and the Information and Security Service (SIS) listed as third-party interveners. The ministry’s action sought to restrict the party’s activities starting September 22, reports Ziarul de Garda.
“The activity of the political party Modern Democratic Party of Moldova is limited for a period of twelve (12) months. Following a court decision restricting a political party, the Ministry of Justice shall request the Public Services Agency to record this fact in the State Register of Legal Entities. A state fee of 250 lei is to be collected from the Modern Democratic Party of Moldova in favor of the State,” the ruling states.
The decision is final and enforceable but may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) within 10 days through the Chisinau Court of Appeal (Centru office).
According to Ziarul de Garda, PDMM leader Boris Foca previously asked the Supreme Court to transfer the case to another appellate court of equal rank — the Southern Court of Appeal — citing doubts about the impartiality of the Chisinau Court of Appeal judges.
Foca argued that there were “reasonable suspicions” that the judges of the Centru office, often involved in politically sensitive cases, might be subject to external pressure. The CSJ rejected his request.