Moldovan government approves toughening punishments for frauds from foreign funds

Chisinau, 12 March /MOLDPRES/ - The government has approved the amendment and completion of provisions from the Criminal Code in the anti-corruption policies sector. These stipulations establish criminal punishments for the use contrary to the purpose, fraudulent getting and embezzlement of means from foreign funds, provided to Moldova to implement social and economic programmes and projects, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.   

The toughening of punishments refers to the use, contrary to the purpose, of means from credits, donations, loans and other types of financial assistance provided to Moldova.  

“Our message must be very clear – in Moldova, we show zero tolerance to frauds, including for embezzlement of European funds. All of us know in what situation we have found ourselves, when we must regain the trust of the foreign partners. Therefore, our actions should also be quite tough in this respect,” the Prime Minister Pavel Filip said.   

The new amendments provide for 2-15 years of imprisonment and deprivation from the right to hold certain offices or carry out a certain activity for a period of 2-8 years, as well as fine worth from 3,000 to 9,000 conventional units. Presently, this type of frauds are punished with fines varying from 1,000 to 6,000 conventional units or imprisonment of 2-3 years and deprivation from the right to hold certain positions or carry out certain work for a term of 2-5 years.  
The concerned amendments were worked out in line with the national action plan for the implementation of the Moldova – European Union Association Agreement for 2014-2016.   

At present, Moldova has contracted loans and grants worth about 4.5 billion euros, of which 2.5 billion euros has been already disbursed, within the implementation of more than 1,800 projects nationally.   

(Editor L. Alcaza)