The secretary of the Rîșcani territorial organization of a former political party, investigated by the NAC, APO and SIS, was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The confiscation of over 1.4 million lei for the benefit of the state was ordered

The Chișinău Court, Buiucani seat, pronounced the sentence of conviction regarding the secretary of the Rîșcani territorial office of a former political party, for committing the crime of complicity in knowingly accepting financing of the political party from an organized criminal group.

The court imposed a sentence of 4 years in prison, with the execution of the sentence in a semi-closed penitentiary, as well as deprivation of the right to hold positions and exercise the activity of administration and financial management of political parties, for a period of 4 years. The prison sentence is to be partially served, namely 2 years in prison, and the remaining 2 years - suspended conditionally, with a probation period of 2 years. Until the final sentence is rendered, the defendant was subject to a preventive measure - preventive arrest, and will be detained. Also, the confiscation of over 1.4 million lei from the defendant's account for the benefit of the state was ordered, as monetary means used to commit the crime.

According to the evidence administered by the National Anti-corruption Centre, jointly with the Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office and the Intelligence and Security Service, the defendant, acting as secretary of the Rîșcani territorial office of the political party, knowing that the party was financed by an organized criminal group, together with other members of the party, would have contributed to the acceptance of this illegal financing.

Thus, the defendant would have accepted, through complicity and consciously, to receive funds in the amount of over 1.4 million lei, derived from illegal activities and used to finance the party's activities, including the organization of protests and the remuneration of participants, with the aim of influencing political processes in the Republic of Moldova and obtaining power through illegal means.

Prosecutors are to decide, within 15 days, whether to appeal the sentence.

Note: The person accused of committing a crime shall be presumed innocent as long as his guilt is not established by a final court decision.