Former President of Moldova Igor Dodon and employees of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the Information and Security Service of Moldova. Archive photoCHISINAU, May 26.Detained on charges of corruption and treason, ex-president of Moldova Igor Dodon said through his lawyers that seven months ago he received recommendations to stop criticizing the government and leave the republic. «I was warned not to criticize the government and especially the president of the country. I was also strongly advised to leave Moldova. But I did not leave the country, although I had the opportunity to do so if I wanted to,» Dodon's Telegram channel says. .He assured that he did not intend to give up and was ready to withstand pressure with the support of supporters. «In June 2019, I put myself and my family at great risk, during the period when I was conducting pseudo-negotiations with Plahotniuc, realizing that I was being filmed on video to overthrow the oligarchic regime and create an anti-oligarchic government coalition — I succeeded, and then I offered a new chance to Moldova. Those events are the current leaders of the state, including Maia Sandu, who is now plotting retribution,» Dodon added. On Tuesday, employees of the anti-corruption prosecutor's office detained Dodon for 72 hours, whom the authorities suspect of passive corruption, illegal enrichment, financing the party at the expense of criminal organization and betrayal of the motherland. Searches and investigative measures were carried out in the house of the former leader. On Wednesday, he was formally charged, the prosecutor's office wants to place Dodon under preliminary arrest for 30 days. Dodon, through his lawyers, said on social networks that he had evidence of his innocence. The politician regarded the actions of law enforcement agencies and his detention as «a political matter that is sewn with white threads.» The politician urged supporters of the Party of Socialists to support the protests, he expressed confidence that the opposition «with a firm position and courage» will put in place and «eliminate, if the citizens so demand, the regime that destroys Moldova» of the ruling party «Action and Solidarity».
MEP ruled out Moldova joining the EU in the next 15-20 years
