Chișinău, 16 June 2025. The Prosecutor Vetting Commission held public hearings today for two prosecutors from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office: Acting Deputy Chief Prosecutor Octavian Iachimovschi and Prosecutor Alexandru Cernei.
The evaluation process for both prosecutors began in 2024, when they were formally notified and requested to submit asset and personal interest declarations covering the past five years, along with a completed questionnaire on ethical integrity. Both prosecutors submitted the required documents within the deadline and provided additional supporting materials. Octavian Iachimovschi answered 36 questions consisting of 105 clarification items and responded to 64 additional requests for documents. In turn, Alexandru Cernei responded to 33 questions (covering 62 items) and provided documents in response to 41 additional requests.
To assess the ethical and financial integrity of the individuals under evaluation, the Commission consulted 33 authorities, public and private institutions, databases, and open sources in the case of Octavian Iachimovschi, and 30 such sources in the case of Alexandru Cernei, verifying the accuracy and relevance of the information collected.
During the public hearings, the Commission announced that no concerns had been identified regarding the financial or ethical integrity of Prosecutor Iachimovschi, based on the integrity criteria set forth in Law No. 252/2023 on the external evaluation of judges and prosecutors. Iachimovschi described the vetting process as “complex” and said it “places pressure on every prosecutor.”
“I urge my colleagues to remain patient, and I hope the Commission will conclude this process as soon as possible,” he added.
In Prosecutor Cernei’s case, the Commission raised several questions regarding concerns about his financial integrity. Cernei provided explanations and requested that arguments presented in writing and during the hearing be fully considered by the Commission when making its decision.
“I appreciate the effort made by the Commission members and Secretariat. A significant volume of information was examined – comparable to the case files we investigate ourselves. To make fair and objective decisions, it takes experience in a variety of fields, not just finance, as well as a high level of professionalism.” Cernei stated.
The hearings were conducted by Panel B of the Vetting Commission, composed of Virginia Moraru (Chair of the Panel), national member Cornel Lebedinschi, and international member Irmantas Mikelionis. As part of its commitment to transparency, the video recordings of the hearings will be published within three days on the Commission’s official website – www.vettingmd.org and on its YouTube channel.
