Moldovan President Maia Sandu has signed a decree appointing five judges to the Supreme Court of Justice. The newly appointed judges are Elena Croitor, Ana Cucerescu, Alexandru Negru, Sergiu Stratan, and Gheorghe Stratulat.
Judge Ana Cucerescu became widely known after presiding over the case in which Evghenia Guțul was convicted. She and Sergiu Stratan were also members of the judicial panels that convicted Vlad Plahotniuc.
Alexandru Negru has previously drawn public attention due to his brother-in-law’s reported ties to the Party of Socialists (PSRM). While temporarily seconded to the Supreme Court of Justice, he examined the so-called “kuliok” case. Both the prosecution and the defense requested his recusal, but the court rejected those motions.
According to IPN, Negru has also handled the case that resulted in the conviction of former MP Irina Lozovan, the “kuliok” case involving former Chisinau mayor Dorin Chirtoaca, as well as several proceedings related to Moldova’s bank fraud scandal.
The newly appointed judges will officially assume their duties after the presidential decree is published in the Official Gazette.
