The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova, Anatolie Nosatii, stated that the Glock-type weapon used by Moldovan soldiers meets operational requirements and remains appropriate for service use.
Nosatii made the statement after parliamentary hearings on May 19, during which several MPs said the pistol is used only by senior-ranking military personnel in the Armed Forces.
“Military personnel use Glock Generation 4 weapons, which rank among the most advanced in this field. They are used in about 40 countries, including armed forces. The weapon meets the requirements for the activities we must ensure militarily. The main rule remains strict compliance with technical and safety procedures in handling the weapon,” Anatolie Nosatii said.
The minister acknowledged the need to draw lessons from the incident and to adjust regulations but rejected calls for resignation.
“It is important to learn lessons, adjust the existing regulations, and prevent such cases in the future. The main priority remains ensuring the safety of both military personnel and civilians,” he added.
The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Public Order held closed-door hearings on Tuesday, May 19, regarding the Cahul military unit incident, but Anatolie Nosatii did not attend the session.
He explained his absence by stating that he participated in an international forum in Austria, where he represented the Republic of Moldova and held meetings with defense counterparts. He said he carried out his duties in accordance with national law and institutional regulations.
On May 10, a soldier suffered injuries and a minor died after a firearm was discharged at a military unit in Cahul. Police initially reported cardiac arrest as the cause of death but later confirmed that a gunshot caused the fatal injury.
Authorities opened a criminal case, and the Ministry of Defense launched an internal investigation. On May 12, authorities arrested the 20-year-old soldier suspected of firing the weapon for 30 days.