Moldovan parliament holds closed meeting on bank frauds hearings

Chisinau, 2 December /MOLDPRES/ - The parliament holds a closed meeting to carry out hearings on fraudulent transactions in the banking system. The proposal was made by the faction of Communists (PCRM), who reasoned that, in this way, institutions' heads would be able to unveil more data than in case of an open meeting. Fifty two PCRM, Democratic Party (PDM) and Liberal Party (PL) lawmakers ruled on the hearings concerning the "the one billion theft" be closed, while the Liberal Democratic Party and Party of Socialists demanded that the hearings be open.

Only the lawmakers and people who ensure the closed meeting remained in the session hall. Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu instructed to turn on the security system and jamming signal in the session hall.

The parliament today convened at a special meeting to hear reports on embezzlements from the banking system and measures undertaken by the law enforcement and economic bodies to clear up the situation. The parliament will hear Prosecutor General Corneliu Gurin, Director of the Intelligence and Security Service Mihai Balan, Director of the National Anticorruption Centre Viorel Chetraru, Governor of the National Bank of Moldova Dorin Dragutanu and acting Finance Minister Anatol Arapu.

MPs, members and supporters of the Party of Socialists protest outside the parliament building. Police cordons prevent people from entering the parliament.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor L. Alcaza)