The suspended mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca was released from house arrest and was placed under judicial control. Such a decision was taken by the Buiucani branch of the Court of Chisinau municipality on November 10, IPN reports.

Dorin Chirtoaca does not have the right to leave the municipality and must announce any change of domicile. He cannot go to work or to places where there are persons involved in the case and must appear before court whenever he is summoned.

Dorin Chirtoaca told the press that the decision taken today is strange and late if it is related to the referendum and was taken in order to keep appearances. Normally, the case should be dropped. Pressure to tender his resignation could be exerted on him the coming days. He intends to challenge the decision in the Appeals Court and to demand that the case should be dropped.

Prosecutor Victoria Furtuna said she will examine the expounded part of the decision and will take a decision as to the challenge.

Dorin Chirtoaca was arrested on charges of passive corruption and influence peddling in the case of pay parking lots in Chisinau on May 25 this year. In two days he was placed under house arrest. He pleads not guilty.

www.ipn.md