More than 530 people were trained by experts from the National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) over the course of this week. Beneficiaries included tax officials from several regions, public administration managers, penitentiary system officers, and young volunteers. The activities took place both regionally and within specialized institutions, centered around institutional integrity, professional ethics, and corruption prevention.

The anti-corruption officers conducted information sessions for employees of the territorial tax service directorates in Cahul, Comrat, Ialoveni, and Căușeni. Discussions focused on integrity assurance and assessment measures, legal liability, specific risks in dealing with taxpayers, as well as the importance of transparency, impartiality, and accountability.

Additionally, in partnership with the National Institute of Administration and Public Management, the course "Institutional Ethics and Integrity" was organized to develop managerial and leadership skills among civil servants in leadership positions.

Another key component targeted the penitentiary sector. A continuous training course for officers was held at the specialized training center of the National Administration of Penitentiaries, focusing on ethical standards and the effective management of corruption risks.

Also, this week, the General Assembly of the NAC's anticorruption volunteers took place. During the working meeting, the youth set the direction for activities aimed at promoting ethics, integrity, and a proactive civic attitude within society.

The National Anti-corruption Centre continues its training and awareness-raising activities to strengthen a culture of integrity both among the younger generation and across the country's public institutions.
 

Three young men from Chișinău are under investigation by officers of the National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and prosecutors from the Anti-corruption Prosecutor’s Office (APO) in a criminal case involving influence peddling. They allegedly demanded 7000 euros to influence the outcome of a rape investigation.

According to the case files, the suspects promised the whistleblower that they could intervene with the criminal investigative bodies handling the rape case against him to secure a favorable decision. To exercise this promised influence, they accepted a first installment of 1650 euros from the declarant, out of the total 7000 euros initially demanded. The handover of the cash took place under the surveillance of the NAC officers.

Anti-corruption officers are currently conducting searches at the suspects' residences. Two of the young men have been detained and placed in the NAC detention centre for 72 hours.

Every person shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court verdict, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and the Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (APO) detained the director of a Chisinau driving school and an intermediary this morning in connection with an influence-peddling case. They allegedly solicited and received illicit funds from a candidate to fraudulently secure the issuance of a Category B driver's license.

According to the investigation, the suspects demanded and received 1,500 euros from the candidate, claiming to have influence over members of the Examination Commission at the Chisinau Driver Qualification Section (ASP) and asserting that they could persuade the examiners to grant the candidate a "pass" result on both the theoretical and practical parts of the driving test.

Evidence relevant to the criminal case was seized during searches of the suspects' homes and vehicles, as well as the driving school's premises. Both individuals have been placed in the NAC detention centre for 72 hours.

Every person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is pronounced.

The manager of a Chișinău-based company is under investigation by officers of the National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and prosecutors from the Anti-corruption Prosecutor’s Office (APO) in a criminal case involving large-scale fraud and money laundering.

According to case files, the suspect allegedly posed as an authorized insolvency administrator and invited several businesses to take part in an auction for the sale of a plot of land in Chișinău, valued at approximately 7 million lei. To participate, the suspect reportedly requested an advance payment for the land as well as registration fees; after collecting the funds, he allegedly misappropriated the money. The case involves multiple injured parties, with total damages estimated at over 2 million lei.

Earlier today, anti-corruption officers carried out searches at the suspect's residence, seizing evidence relevant to the criminal proceedings. The suspect was detained for 72 hours and placed in a detention facility. Investigations are currently ongoing to establish all circumstances and identify any potential accomplices involved in the scheme.

Any person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is pronounced.

The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) outlines its key operations from the previous week across corruption combat, prevention, international cooperation, and criminal assets recovery.

On the anti-corruption front, the NAC criminal investigation officers intervened in two separate cases. A major operation targeted more than 20 bribery incidents related to fraudulent vehicle registrations. According to case records, several Public Services Agency (ASP) employees, including the head of the Tiraspol Vehicle Registration Department, in complicity with an officer from the Hîrbovăț Customs Post and other customs officials, allegedly ran an illegal scheme facilitating the issuance of documentation required for neutral-design license plates. These plates were granted to vehicles that failed to meet legal requirements. The Chișinău Court, Ciocana branch, remanded both the customs officer and the ASP official into 30-day pre-trial detention.

The second corruption case involves decision-makers at "InTehAgro," who allegedly demanded and received bribes ranging between 3,000 and 20,000 lei to provide illicit advantages to various applicants and beneficiaries. The scheme included issuing category "H" machinery operating licenses, registering agricultural and construction machinery and certifying technical inspection reports. In total, five individuals are targeted, alongside affiliates of driving schools based in Chișinău.

The Chișinău Court, Buiucani branch, sentenced the former president and former vice president of the Criuleni District Council. The former received 9 years' imprisonment, a 450,000 lei fine, and an 11-year ban from holding public office, the latter was sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment, a 400,000 lei fine, and a 10-year ban from holding public office. Concurrently, investigative officers initiated five new criminal proceedings and forwarded six completed cases to court. Currently, seven defendants across the NAC-managed cases are held in pre-trial detention facilities.

In terms of international cooperation, the NAC and the Italian Guardia di Finanza signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on combating economic and financial crime. In parallel, the NAC director met with representatives of the European Commission, the EU Delegation, and the UNDP Moldova to discuss strengthening institutional and operational capacities.

The Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) seized assets exceeding 3 million lei in a money laundering investigation, which included two residential properties and three motor vehicles. Additionally, the CARA placed 2 million lei under asset management.

Regarding prevention, the NAC submitted 17 anti-corruption assessment reports on draft legislative acts, issued 163 integrity certificates, conducted 3 operational assessments, and trained more than 500 individuals across the public and private sectors.

The National Anti-corruption Helpline recorded 59 calls, and 1648 incoming documents were registered by the agency’s central registry.