Moldova's General Police Inspectorate initiates two criminal proceedings on death of woman

The General Police Inspectorate (IGP) has initiated two criminal proceedings on the death of Ludmila Vartic, a kindergarten teacher from Hancesti, who died a few days ago. The first proceeding is taking place in Chisinau and investigates the woman’s death, while the second was opened in Hancesti and documents circumstances related to the couple’s life. The IGP head, Viorel Cernauteanu, today made statements to this effect.

The IGP leadership emphasized that law enforcement officers were carrying out more procedural actions to establish all circumstances of the case. Viorel Cernauteanu assured that the forensic examination had been conducted in accordance with the norms provided by law.

“Regarding this case, we have seen a lot of information in the public space. It would be better if, when we are interested in something, we get informed by the authorities who know the details, as there have been many speculations about the victim’s funeral which do not correspond to the truth. Following the death, the forensic examination was immediately ordered and carried out. The findings of this examination have not yet reached the police. In this case, we must also take into account the condition of the family members, I mean the mother, sister, or other persons who could provide certain important information,” specified Viorel Cernauteanu.

According to the IGP head, the documentation of the situation up to 2019 showed that no complaints or other requests on behalf of Ludmila Vartic had been submitted to the police.

“There has been no notification regarding elements of domestic violence or other circumstances that might have caused her physical or psychological suffering. I assure you that the necessary checks are being carried out, in order to investigate all information that appears in the public space. At this moment, it is premature to talk about the procedural status of one person or another, which will be determined only jointly with the prosecution, after evidence is examined. It is important to understand that where a victim does not speak, it does not mean that society must also remain silent. It is regrettable that we were not informed at an early stage, when we could have prevented such a tragedy,” said Viorel Cernauteanu.

The IGP head specified that the woman’s husband and their children were to be questioned after the procedural stages are completed.

“Before the husband is questioned, it is necessary to talk to other people, in order to establish certain elements. At present, both the victim’s phone and the husband’s phone are in police custody to be subjected to examinations. As for questioning the children, this cannot be done only by police officers; other support services are also needed. I can assure you that the criminal investigation will determine whether there were elements of domestic violence with instigation to suicide or not. Until then, it is necessary, within the process, to gather the required body of evidence, on the basis of which the prosecutor will establish the person’s status,” noted Viorel Cernauteanu.

Referring to this case, Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin said that the victim had left a farewell letter, but its content would not be made public.

“A letter was left, but it is not appropriate to make it public. The subject is too sensitive, especially as it concerns two minor children. In this case, a forensic examination was carried out, which is absolutely indicated. However, we do not rule out that, in the context of procedural measures, additional examinations will be performed if necessary. At the societal level, more effort is needed to prevent the phenomenon of violence. The first signs of violence are not physical, which is why it is very important to notify the police and social services as soon as possible, so that we do not reach extreme and very serious cases,” emphasized Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

According to IGP’s data, starting from 2008 there has been an increase in reported cases of domestic violence. Last year, law enforcement officers received over 18,000 notifications, of which 6,000 were confirmed.

Ludmila Vartic, a teacher at the Andries kindergarten from Hancesti, died on March 3 this year after jumping from the upper floor of a residential block in Chisinau. The information became public later and more civic organizations claimed that the woman had been the victim of abuse by her husband, Dumitru Vartic. The spouses have two daughters.