Chisinau judge will be held criminally liable for harassment

Judge Oleg Melnichuk, previously sentenced to prison for illegal enrichment, became involved in a criminal case of sexual harassment. The Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) approved the request of acting Prosecutor General Ion Munteanu, approving the initiation of criminal prosecution of the judge.

The meeting of the SCM was held behind closed doors, Melnichuk was present. The decision was made with 8 votes for and 2 against.

Now Melnichuk has been removed from his post. Let us remind you that on September 3, 2021, he became the first judge in Moldova to be convicted of illegal enrichment and was sentenced to seven years in a closed prison. The verdict was pronounced in the absence of Melnichuk, his lawyers and the prosecutor and will come into force after the decision becomes final.

Melnichuk’s case was brought to court in 2018. After collecting and studying hundreds of documents and questioning several witnesses, the prosecutor’s office determined that in 2013-2017, when he served as a judge and acting president of the Riscani Court, mun. Chisinau, Oleg Melnichuk included erroneous data in his property declarations. He also committed the crime of unlawful enrichment through the possession personally or through third parties of goods whose value significantly exceeded his income.

Allegations of sexual harassment

In May 2022, a former student complained to her parents and the administration of the college where she studied that the judge hugged her, kissed her and put his hands under her blouse. The director of the educational institution filed a complaint addressed to Oleg Melnichuk to the Supreme Council of Magistracy, as well as to the prosecutor’s office.

Then in May, Melnichuk insisted that the student allegedly distorted the truth. Later he stated that they decided to take revenge on him.

“This is retribution for the verdict. It concerns very influential people whose names I cannot name. I expected a blow from them, but I did not think that they could stoop to such a level. I made this decision a while ago and was waiting for something to happen.

In the end, this happened,” Melnichuk said. No criminal charges were filed in this case. On May 24, 2022, the SCM removed the judge from office, but rejected the request of Prosecutor General Dmitry Robu to initiate criminal proceedings against him for sexual harassment.

In September, Melnichuk was reprimanded for sexual harassment.