Moldova’s Supreme Court of Justice has declared inadmissible an appeal filed by the Russian organisation Eurasia against a ruling by the Chisinau Court of Appeal, which declared the organisation extremist. The Supreme Court ruled that the appeal was manifestly unfounded, and its decision is final, IPN reports.
In its reasoning, the Supreme Court stated that the organisation’s arguments did not demonstrate any obvious errors in the assessment of evidence or violations that would justify overturning the ruling. The judges found that the court of appeal had examined the evidence both individually and as a whole, including documents concerning the “Eurasia Volunteers” project, recruitment, coordination, remuneration and training mechanisms for participants, as well as funding activities.
The Supreme Court also stressed that simply challenging the way evidence was interpreted is not sufficient grounds for admitting an appeal. It noted that international sanctions, taken on their own, do not constitute sufficient evidence of an organisation’s extremist nature and must instead be assessed alongside the other evidence.
The judges also rejected arguments concerning violations of the right to a defence, access to case materials, and the examination of the case in a closed hearing. According to the Supreme Court, procedural documents confirm that the organisation’s representative participated in the proceedings, had the opportunity to ask questions and raise objections, and was able to submit written conclusions.
At the end of July, the Chișinău Court of Appeal declared the Eurasia organisation extremist following a request by the Information and Security Service (SIS). The court found that the evidence indicated the existence of an organised mechanism for recruitment, coordination, remuneration and training associated with activities aimed at undermining the security of the Republic of Moldova.
The SIS warned that participating in the organisation’s activities, financing it, or promoting its materials could result in criminal liability.