Anatolie Nosatîi remains in office despite army deaths
President Maia Sandu and the ruling party are refusing to dismiss Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatîi, under whose tenure nine accidental deaths have already been recorded in the army, including the recent killing of a child.
Sandu called Nosatîi “the best minister in 30 years”. In response, PCRM MP Constantin Starîș compared the president’s governing style to mafia principles – omertà and collective cover-up. He also suggested that the image of the killed boy should be placed on the next European award Sandu is due to receive in Strasbourg.
The head of state rejected the opposition’s demand for Nosatîi’s resignation after the death of a 16-year-old teenager at a military unit in Cahul. Moreover, she said the minister had done more for the Moldovan army than all previous defence ministers over the past 30 years combined.
“I want to say that this minister has done more than all previous ministers over 30 years to ensure that this country has an army capable of protecting people, and to make the defence system work for the benefit of this country,” Sandu said.
She also added that it was already clear that rules on handling weapons in military units must be tightened. But the president did not support Nosatîi’s resignation.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean, for his part, called the demand for resignation an example of “excessive politicisation”. He said replacing the minister would lead to destabilisation.
Starîș cites nine deaths and no dismissals
Speaking at a briefing in parliament, MP Constantin Starîș said the opposition had struggled to secure a debate on a no-confidence motion. He also claimed that the authorities tried to conceal the fact that a child had died from a gunshot wound, initially presenting the death as a consequence of “psychological shock”.
He said the National Army already had nine deaths on its record, along with one wounded person. According to him, a tenth case has already appeared as well.
Starîș suggested that Nosatîi may be “embedded” in a scheme involving the use of large sums allocated to the Defence Ministry. Otherwise, the MP argued, it is difficult to explain why the commander-in-chief refuses to dismiss an official who, directly or indirectly, bears responsibility for people’s deaths.
“Maia Sandu’s new style of governing Moldova is built on two mafia principles: first, omertà, the conspiracy of silence, and second, collective cover-up,” Starîș said.
He also noted that, against the backdrop of these tragedies, Sandu is preparing to receive another European “achievement” award in Strasbourg.
“We hope that this trinket will carry the image of the dead child. Otherwise, they will not understand,” the MP said.
Grosu says “the Russians are waiting for this”
Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, commenting on PAS refusal to dismiss Nosatîi, said that “the Russians are just waiting for someone in Moldova to be fired every day”. According to him, drones are launched with that intention.
Asked why, in Estonia, a minister resigned after a drone violated national airspace, while in Moldova no resignation follows the death of a child, Grosu said he was ashamed by such a comparison. Still, he added that dismissals would not solve the problem.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said he did not know whether the minister was personally at fault. In his view, every incident now prompts calls for loud resignations, but this would only create further destabilisation.
Starîș sees it differently. He argues that moral and political responsibility lies with the commander-in-chief. Even if Nosatîi is not legally guilty in the deaths of nine people, he should resign at least according to the standards of officer’s honour.
But in the new Moldova, the MP said, mafia-style principles appear stronger than honour and conscience. While Sandu receives trinkets in Strasbourg, the parents of dead children receive funeral notices.
And Nosatîi stays. Because “the Russians are waiting for this”.
