Hearing rooms, complying with relevant international standards, were opened at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and one of its subdivisions, the Internal Protection and Anti-Corruption Service (SPIA). The rooms were renovated and equipped within the project "Support to Law Enforcement Reform in Moldova", implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova, with the financial support of the U.S. Government.

Two hearing rooms of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were modernized. They were endowed with air conditioning, fire alarm systems and video monitoring. All rooms have been soundproofed and equipped with efficient lighting system, to comply with relevant technical requirements. For the proper functioning of the hearing rooms, an adjacent space was arranged to accommodate technical and communication monitoring means.

 Within the framework of the same project, a hearing room and an evidence storage room at the Internal Protection and Anti-Corruption Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were equipped. Increased attention has been paid to security requirements for both witnesses and SPIA employees.

SPIA hearing room is used for interviewing people of interest in the criminal cases filed for corruption offenses or other illegalities. The installed equipment allows for the full recording of the testimony or hearing. Then, the information, it its original format and full authenticity, is analyzed to be used during the trial.

The evidence storage room within SPIA is used to store evidence related to the criminal cases under examination. Previously, the room did not meet the minimum technical requirements. After it was modernized, the room was endowed with furniture, ventilation, and heat recovery system.

"A modern security system should be transparent and accessible for the defense side, during hearings under special conditions. Thanks to the support of the institution's strategic partners, we were able to rebuild these hearing and evidence storage rooms. We thank the representatives of the UNDP and the U.S. Government for their constant support in the modernization of the internal affairs system," said Serghei Diaconu, General Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“The United States believes addressing corruption begins with countries around the world sharing a common vision and a strong commitment to taking effective, practical steps to prevent and prosecute corruption. To turn talk into action, we partner with countries like Moldova to promote internationally recognized standards. The renovated and equipped hearing rooms will bring Moldovan law enforcement closer to international standards and will strengthen the anticorruption efforts within the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” said Brett Rose, Director of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Section of the U.S. Embassy to the Republic of Moldova.

“An effective criminal trial depends largely on the technical equipment of the investigation bodies. The conditions under which hearings take place during an investigation process determine the efficient collection of data, ensure the secrecy of the proceedings and ensure the respect of the rights of the investigation procedures subjects. We are grateful to the U.S. Embassy for the financial support and UNDP opportunity to support MIA to streamline the investigation processes,” said Olesea Perean, Programme Specialist, UNDP Moldova.

The total area of the modernized rooms is 70 square meters and the reconstruction and equipment costs amounted to about MDL500,000.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Police of the Republic of Moldova have a long-lasting collaboration with the U.S. Government and UNDP, during which various activities were carried out to strengthen institutional and professional capacities of police to ensure a safe environment for all men and women in the Republic of Moldova and increase people’s trust in police.