Criminal scheme for issuing false vaccination certificates dismantled by SPIA

Chisinau, Dec. 29 / MOLDPRES /- Internal Protection and Anti-Corruption Service (SPIA) of the Ministry of Interior, under the leadership of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, have dismantled a criminal scheme for issuing false vaccination certificates.

According to the SPIA, special measures of investigation and prosecution took place in July 2021 - December 2021. They documented the alleged illegal actions of civil servants with special / military status of the Customs Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defense, civil servants from the ministries of Education and Research, Health, Finance, public administration authorities, representatives of religious denominations, economic agents and individuals.

Thus, 240 persons were identified, who directly / indirectly were related to the circumstances stated above, regarding the actions to which the criminal investigation body is to be exposed.

According to the accumulated evidence, the registrars (persons responsible for entering the data in the Register of Vaccination against COVID – 19) personally, as well as through intermediaries, demanded and received from citizens of the Republic of Moldova, as well as from foreign citizens, financial means that ranged from 2,000 to 5,000 lei per certificate, for the registration of erroneous data in the Automated Information System and in the Vaccination Register against COVID – 19.

As a result of the searches carried out on December 22, a military official in charge of the Ministry of Interior was detained, who admitted his guilt and collaborated with the criminal investigation body, being detected and collecting lists of vaccinated persons, copies of identity documents, vaccination certificates, money and other objects related to the case.

If found guilty, the persons at risk face a criminal penalty with a fine or unpaid community service from 150 to 200 hours, or deprivation of liberty from 2 to 7 years.