Moldovan court extends house arrest of ex-president Dodon by another 30 days

CHISINAU. Aug 18 (Interfax) - A court in Moldova granted the prosecutors' motion and extended the house arrest of Moldova's ex-president Igor Dodon by another 30 days, prosecutor Pyotr Yarmalyuk told reporters.

"The restriction needs to stay in effect as there are concerns that Dodon may commit new crimes, including convincing witnesses to give false evidence. Dodon has breached the ban on talking to other people implicated in the case. According to investigators, Dodon secretly used an iPhone 13 and talked to other people implicated in the case via Telegram," the prosecutor said on Thursday.

Dodon, for his part, said he believes the prosecutors "do not have any evidence at all" that justifies the extension of the restriction.

As reported, after his detention on May 24, Dodon was indicted on four counts: passive corruption, illegal enrichment, the illegal financing of a political party by a criminal group, and high treason.

Dodon and his party believe the criminal case against him is "a political reprisal" by incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu and "pressure on the opposition."

Moldova's President Maia Sandu, for her part, categorically denies her involvement in the criminal case against the ex-president. She called on the prosecutors "to consider this case maximally transparently and in strict accordance with the law."