Moldovan law-enforcers make searches within two criminal files concerning banks

Chisinau, 6 February /MOLDPRES/ - Four former members of the administration councils of Banca de Economii (BEM, Savings Bank) and Banca Sociala (Social Bank) are suspected of abuse of power with inflicting damages in especially big amount.

These people were heard by law-enforcers, after officers of the National Anti-corruption Centre (CNA) and anti-corruption prosecutors today made 26 searches in Chisinau. The searches were carried out at the homes of the suspects and the headquarters of certain economic agents. The operation was made within two criminal files "concerning the lawless actions committed at BEM and Banca Sociala."

"The people are suspected of the fact that, while abusing their position, they illegally signed a contract on inter-banking placement of certain sums of money. The financial resources flowed out of BEM, and were subsequently placed at Banca Sociala, and get abroad as a result," the head of CNA's Criminal Investigation Department, Bogdan Zumbreanu, has said. He added that the inflicted damage amounts to about 11 billion lei. 

The suspects did not plead guilty. They were not detained, but only obliged to come to the criminal investigation body, if summoned.

The suspects run the risk of being sentenced to seven years of imprisonment.