File managed by the NAC, APO and SIS: Former vice-president of the Rîșcani territorial office of a former political party, sentenced in absentia to 4 years in prison

The Chișinău Court, Buiucani seat, pronounced the sentence of conviction regarding the former vice-president 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 administrative and financial management activities within political parties, for a period of 4 years.

The criminal case was examined in the absence of the defendant, the court maintaining the preventive measure - preventive arrest, he is currently wanted.

Also, the confiscation of approximately 1.2 million lei from the defendant's account for the benefit of the state was ordered, as funds used in the commission of 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 vice president of the Rîșcani territorial office of a former political party (declared unconstitutional by Constitutional Court Decision no. 10 of 19.06.2023 and removed from the State Register of Legal Entities on 23.01.2024), knowing that the party was financed by an organized criminal group, together with other members of the party, allegedly contributed to the acceptance of this illegal financing.

Thus, the defendant would have accepted, through complicity and consciously, the receipt of funds in the amount of approximately 1.2 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.