NAC and the prosecutors are carrying out searches in Hîncești, Călărași, Străseni, Nisporeni, Criuleni, Florești and Orhei in 7 criminal cases of electoral corruption, in which 12 suspects appear

The officers of the National Anti-corruption Centre and the prosecutors of Chisinau, Balti and Cahul municipalities are currently conducting searches in several localities in Hîncești, Călărași, Strășeni, Nisporeni, Criuleni, Florești and Orhei districts. The actions are taking place in the framework of 7 criminal cases, initiated under the aspect of committing the crimes provided for in art. 1811 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code - electoral corruption.

According to the administered materials, 12 representatives of a political party are suspected of having offered financial means to voters in order for them to exercise their electoral rights in favour of a candidate registered in the presidential election race. Thus, today's searches target both criminal investigation actions at the homes of the suspects and at the headquarters of a political formation, all persons to be escorted to the NAC for hearings, one of which has already been detained for 72 hours, being the leader the Cimișlia territorial organization.

We draw your attention to the fact that people who offer money to influence the results of an election risk from one to 5 years in prison and a fine of over 50 thousand lei, and the illegal financing of political parties from prohibited sources is punishable by up to 6 years in prison and a fine of over 67 thousand lei. In order to ensure the recovery of the damage, legal institutions can apply seizure on the person's assets. Also, the persons who collaborate with law enforcement bodies are released from criminal/contravention liability if they have self-reported and/or actively contributed to the discovery or countering of the commission of electoral corruption.

We remind that any person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is issued, and investigations in this case continue.