A former trainee lawyer from Chisinau, detained by the NAC for influence peddling: He allegedly demanded and received over half a million lei under the control of anti-corruption officers

A former trainee lawyer from Chisinau was detained yesterday evening by officers of the National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and Chisinau prosecutors. He is suspected of demanding and receiving money from two convicts to induce the judges to adopt a favourable decision regarding their release from detention.

According to the case materials, the former trainee lawyer allegedly demanded and received from two convicted persons financial means that were not due to him, in a total amount of 32,000 euros (the equivalent of approximately 650,000 lei), claiming that he would have influence over persons with public positions and that he could determine them to issue a favourable solution in their file. The suspect's act was documented by the NAC officers, including the transfer of the money.

Following the searches carried out yesterday, the suspect was detained for 72 hours and placed in detention centre. Currently, the NAC is carrying out actions, under the procedural leadership of the Chisinau City Prosecutor's Office, to establish and document all persons involved in the aforementioned illegal actions and to hold them criminally liable.

We remind that every person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is rendered.