As an Ombudsman, Mihail Cotorobai does not have any authority to intervene in this case, as the Law No.52 does not allow the ombudsperson to express any opinion “on adjudicated cases in which there is a court sentence or a decision on the merits”.

Given the particular social importance of the case that happened in Straseni, as well as the seriousness of family violence phenomenon in our country, the Ombudsman took action ex-officio and ordered the examination of the actions/inactions of the bodies responsible for protecting women and children against domestic violence.

At the same time, the guardianship authorities of Straseni have informed the Ombudsman, upon request, that Victoria Pruteanu is a mother of 2 children aged 3 and 5 years respectively. The woman is also a guardian of her 3 sisters, since their parents have died. After Victoria Pruteanu was apprehended, the court announced the staff of the Social Assistance and Family Protection Directorate about the need to establish a form of protection over the children.

All children were placed within the temporary Institutional Care Centre in the town of Straseni. The staff of the Social Assistance and Family Protection Directorate work with the extended family to place the children with their relatives. The children will benefit from psychological rehabilitation assistance. 

Thestaff of the Ombudsperson Office will continue to monitor this case.