Prosecutors in Taraclia ordered the cease of the prosecution on the name of the authors of the journalistic investigation about the pond that came into private ownership through a dubious scheme. This information is confirmed in a reply of the Interior Ministry of Interior that was sent to the Center for Investigative Journalism. Similarly, the response shows that the actions of the prosecution were legal when they ordered the questioning of journalists and confiscation of all materials which served as basis for the video investigation.

"It is worth mentioning that on 10.06.2016, the prosecuting authority sent to the Taraclia Prosecutor’s Office a report to terminate the prosecution. On 14.06.2016, Taraclia prosecutor's office issued an order terminating prosecution, as elements of the offence stipulated by the Criminal Code are missing.  As a result, it was found that the police took actions under criminal proceedings", writes the reply of the Interior Ministry.

President of CIJM Cornelia Cozonac regards the actions of the police as abuse and direct attack on press freedom. "It is inadmissible that the Police intervenes and threatens the activity of a journalist. The decision to confiscate the materials, documents and the video used in an investigation is abusive. The press is free to write, to find topics and to edit them without pressure and interference. The activity of journalists, including protection of information sources, is protected by several national and international normative acts. This case is extremely serious. It is good that, in the end, police gave up pressure and abusive actions", said Cornelia Cozonac.

In early June, Police Inspectorate in Taraclia ordered the questioning of journalists and confiscation of all materials which served as basis of an investigation about the lake in the town that became private property, through a dubious scheme. Policemen wanted to know exactly who ordered the publication of the material and provided video to reporters.

The provision was issued by police, after the owner of lake in Taraclia Serghei Chiose filed a complaint claiming that the journalists of the investigation "How did a pond of state become private property" would have provoked him intentionally to a discussion about his personal life and family members, everything was recorded and filmed with a hidden camera. 

Media organizations have condemned the abusive actions against investigative journalists and demanded resignation of persons from state institutions who have committed actions of persecution and authoritarian coercion. Also, the Center for Investigative Journalism asked the Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office to come up with a response. As a result, the Interior Ministry ordered an investigation to elucidate the circumstances of the incident. Speaker Andrian Candu sent a resolution to the  General Prosecutor's Office  and called on prosecutors to investigate how the pond  became private property.