Three men, investigated by the NAC and APO, were sentenced to prison, and another - fined for committing influence peddling

The Chisinau Court, Buiucani seat, found a citizen of the Republic of Moldova and three foreign citizens guilty of committing the crime of influence peddling. The court ordered, for one of the foreign citizens, who was charged with three episodes, through partial cumulation of the sentences, a sentence of 4 years in prison. Two other defendants, including the citizen of the Republic of Moldova, were sentenced to 2 years in prison each. The fourth defendant was fined 125,000 lei. At the same time, the confiscation of funds in the total amount of 8,400 euros was ordered from the defendants' accounts.

According to the evidence presented in court, administered during the criminal investigation phase by the National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and the Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (APO), in 2018, foreign students at the Medical University of Chisinau were allegedly approached by another of their compatriots, who claimed to have influence over the institution's management and the migration authorities. He allegedly promised them that he could help them avoid expulsion or obtain the necessary documents to continue their studies, in exchange for sums of money.

In one case, one of the students, who was at risk of being expelled, was allegedly offered 2,000 euros to continue his studies. After finding himself on the list of expelled students, he was allegedly told that the problem was with the Migration and Asylum Bureau (BMA), where two other foreign citizens who claimed to have influence over public figures within the BMA were allegedly involved.
The same scheme was applied to other students, who were asked for money for “help” in order to reinstate their studies or obtain the necessary documents. The total amount claimed and received by the defendants was allegedly 8,400 euros.

Although during the criminal investigation phase, when they were heard as defendants, they admitted their guilt, during the court hearings they denied committing the acts, and the court assessed the evidence administered as well-founded and established their guilt in committing the incriminated crimes.

Previously, by the sentence of the Chisinau Court, Buiucani seat, of May 12, 2020, another co-participant in committing the crime was convicted, he admitted his guilt.

Note: A person accused of committing a crime shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.