Over 45 law-enforcement representatives actively took part actively in the workshop "The peculiarities of investigating and prosecuting crimes of illegal financing of political parties, electoral contestants, initiative groups, or electoral campaigns, as well as vote buying" organized in Chisinau. This workshop aimed at strengthening the knowledge, and unifying practices, of judges, prosecutors, investigation officers, including those from the Inspector General of Police and the National Anti-Corruption Centre of the Republic of Moldova, in documenting, investigating and settlement of financial violations by political parties and electoral contestants during and between election periods.

Oscar Sanchez Munoz, substitute member of the Venice Commission, provided (online) participants with a comprehensive overview of the international and Council of Europe benchmarks and practices on the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns. The expert also referred to the European Union directives and practices on sanctioning political parties for non-compliance with financial reporting rules.

Ghennadi Epure, Council of Europe expert, shared his valuable expertise on methods of investigation, evidence and evidence gathering, in cases of violations of legislation related to voter corruption, criteria for individualisation of responsibility, and examples of practice.

The training was organised in the framework of the Council of Europe Project Improving Electoral Practice in the Republic of Moldova, Phase III, in partnership with the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova, the National Institute of Justice and the development partners – UNDP Moldova and USAID.