Overview
- Igor Dodon asked the Supreme Court to remove judge Vladislav Gribinchu from his case, alleging the judge cannot be impartial and had donated to Maia Sandu’s party.
- The Supreme Judicial Chamber on November 24 ordered a full re‑examination of the criminal case built around a 2019 hidden‑camera video.
- Lawyers note the judicial panel has changed at least seven times and warn restarting proceedings could add years to the case.
- The Chisinau Appeals Court upheld a six‑year sentence against former MP Irina Lozovan issued in absentia, a ruling that can be appealed to the Higher Judicial Chamber.
- The video at the center of the case was published by ex‑Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuk, whose detention in Greece and extradition to Chișinău this autumn renewed interest, while Dodon maintains the charges are politically driven.