Warrant on arrest for ten magistrates, three bailiffs, detained by Moldovan anticorruption centre, extended by 30 days

Chisinau, 22 September /MOLDPRES/ - The Buiucani district court of Chisinau today extended by 30 days the warrant of preventive arrest for ten magistrates and three bailiffs, detained two days ago by anticorruption prosecutors and officers of the National Anticorruption Centre (CNA) for complicity to the laundering of more than 20 billion dollars.

According to anticorruption prosecutor Mariana Botezatu, the prolongation of the preventive arrest was needed for reasons that the suspects might influence the march of the investigation. “The criminal file is in the incipient stage. We are to collect all evidence; therefore, there is the risk that the accused persons might influence the potential witnesses, as well as other accomplices, who are to be established by law-enforcers,” Botezatu said.   

The suspects’ lawyers turned town the charges brought by prosecutors, noting that the suspects plead not guilty. “We do not agree with judges’ ruling. We will appeal the decisions at the Chisinau-based Court of Appeal,” one of the defenders said.    

CNA officers two days ago made over 50 searches in offices, at homes and in vehicles of state officials. At a request by prosecutors, 20 criminal files have been opened against 16 magistrates and four bailiffs for complicity to committing  offences of  money laundering. The 18 persons were initially detained for 72 hours. Another two suspects are wanted.

Magistrates from the Centru district court of Chisinau, courts of Causeni, Comrat, Riscani, Telenesti and Ungheni are involved in the scheme. They acted in the period of 2010-2013, and the national budget was harmed by about one billion lei.  

If found guilty, the suspects run the risk of being sentenced to 5-10 years of imprisonment.

 (Reporter A. Plitoc, editor L. Alcaza)