Online harassment becomes a criminal offence in the Republic of Moldova

06.01.2026

Through Law No. 252 of 10 July 2025, the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova has been supplemented with a new provision criminalising acts of persecution (stalking), including in the online environment. The new regulations strengthen the legal framework for the protection of victims and provide authorities with clear tools to sanction repeated and intrusive harassment behaviours.

The provisions will enter into force on 14 February 2026.

The Criminal Code has been supplemented with Article 169¹ – Acts of persecution, which provides as follows:

Article 169¹. Acts of persecution

(1) The systematic persecution of a person, causing a state of anxiety or fear for their own safety or that of close relatives, and forcing the person to change their way of life, committed by:
a) following the person, including through information technologies or electronic communication networks;
b) monitoring the person’s residence, workplace or other places frequently visited by them;
c) contacting or attempting to contact the person by any means or through another person,

shall be punishable by a fine ranging from 500 to 750 conventional units, or by unpaid community service for a period of 120 to 180 hours, or by imprisonment for up to 2 years.

(2) The same actions committed against a family member shall be punishable by a fine ranging from 600 to 1000 conventional units, or by unpaid community service for a period of 180 to 240 hours, or by imprisonment for up to 3 years.

Why this amendment is important

The criminalisation of acts of persecution represents an essential step in recognising psychological and digital violence as serious forms of violence, with a profound impact on the lives, safety and health of victims.

Repeated harassment is not a form of “insistence” or “attention”, but a form of violence that can escalate and lead to serious consequences.

Support for victims

Persons experiencing violence or who know someone in need can access free and confidential support through the following services:

  • 112 – National Emergency Service

  • 0 8008 8008 – Trust Line for Women and Girls

  • 116 111 – Child Helpline

  • www.eviolenta.md – information and support

  • www.12plus.md – online chat for adolescents

  • www.siguronline.md – support in cases of digital violence

The full text of Law No. 252 of 10 July 2025 can be consulted here.

These changes were made possible through a joint effort of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), UN Women Moldova, UNFPA, and the Council of Europe Office.