7000 euros to hush up a rape case. Three youths from the capital investigated by the NAC and APO for influence peddling

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.