A new generation of future judges and prosecutors graduated from the National Institute of Justice

Robes, emotions and the commitment to respect the law defined the graduation ceremony of the candidates for the positions of judge and prosecutor, held at the National Institute of Justice, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, the Minister of Justice, Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, representatives of the Superior Council of Magistracy, the Superior Council of Prosecutors and other key institutions in the legal system, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps from the embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Romania and the USA in our country.

The solemn setting began with the singing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Moldova, followed by the speeches of the high dignitaries and the handing over of the certificates of completion of the initial training course to the 28 candidates for the position of judge and 15 candidates for the position of prosecutor.

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, emphasized the value of responsibility in the chosen profession: "It is an important event for you, but it is also an important event for us. You are here because you have assumed an enormous responsibility to do justice to the people, to protect the public interest and to defend democracy. The country needs a new generation in the judiciary. We all have very high expectations from you because this new generation must tip the scales and have a significant contribution to the construction of citizens' trust in justice".

The director of the National Institute of Justice, Ramona Strugariu, in her speech, congratulated the graduates for the dedication shown during their studies: "I would like us all to understand that the backbone of the rule of law, of democracy and of European Moldova is formed here, and that each of the people who step on the threshold of the National Institute of Justice has a role and a mission in this regard. Justice is not a profession, it is a vocation and for everyone among you, this vocation and mission will remain a choice and a duty throughout your life. I want you to return as trainers to INJ and carry on all these experiences and, in particular, the belief that I have seen and heard from you that Moldova can only be a state of law and a democracy and that you are an integral part of this process."

Congratulatory and encouraging messages for the future judges and prosecutors were sent to the Minister of Justice, Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, Stela Procopciuc, Interim President of the Supreme Court of Justice and member of the INJ Council, Sergiu Brigai, Deputy Prosecutor General, Sergiu Caraman, President of the Superior Council of the Magistracy, and Elena Roșior, member of the Superior Council of the Prosecutor's Office. For their part, graduates Natalia Nastasiu and Sergiu Nazarenco shared their emotions and thoughts about their training course at the National Institute of Justice and about the obligations they have due to their chosen career.

The end of an intense period of professional training was marked by the awarding of certificates to the 43 graduates. The best also received diplomas of excellence. Thus, Cristian Babin, candidate for the position of judge, and Victoria Munteanu, candidate for the position of prosecutor, obtained diplomas with mentions of leader of the 17th promotion; diplomas of merit, in recognition of the achievements achieved – Felicia Costov and Valeria Bejenari, candidates for the position of judge, and Iurie Iurcu, Deonisie Spînu and Sergiu Nazarenco, candidates for the position of prosecutor; diplomas of merit for exceptional organizational spirit – Natalia Nastasiu and Ana-Maria Eloi, candidate for the position of judge, and Sergiu Nazarenco, candidate for the position of prosecutor.

Since its establishment until now, INJ has offered the justice system 17 graduations, which included 265 candidates for the position of judge and 351 – for the position of prosecutor. The initial training at the INJ lasts 18 months and is carried out in three semesters: semester I – training of professional skills specific to the criminal investigation phase (candidates for the position of prosecutor)/training of professional skills for the examination of civil cases on the merits (candidates for the position of judge); semester II – training of prejudicial professional skills/training of professional skills for the examination of criminal cases on the merits through trial simulations; semester III – internship in the courts, prosecutor's office and criminal investigation bodies.