The NAC: Parallel financial investigations will be conducted under a unified nationwide mechanism
The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC), the General Prosecutor's Office (PG), the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI), the Customs Service (SV), and the State Tax Service (SFS) have approved a unified mechanism for conducting parallel financial investigations at the national level.
In this regard, representatives of the five authorities signed an inter-institutional order approving the Regulation on ensuring the conduct of parallel financial investigations in criminal cases generating economic benefits. The new Regulation establishes a unified mechanism for organizing and conducting parallel financial investigations and sets out the stages for their evaluation, initiation, planning, execution, and documentation, as well as mechanisms for record-keeping, reporting, and cooperation among the competent authorities.
One of the main objectives is the early initiation of parallel financial investigations and their execution concurrently with the investigation of the primary offense. This will allow authorities to identify and trace proceeds of crime at an early stage and order measures to freeze or seize them. The mechanism aims to prevent the concealment, alienation, or transfer of illicit assets and to create the necessary conditions for their effective confiscation and recovery.
At the same time, the regulation strengthens cooperation between the Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) within the NAC, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors, including through joint mechanisms for record-keeping and reporting the results of parallel financial investigations.
By establishing this mechanism, the authorities aim to apply a standardized practice nationwide and increase efficiency in identifying, freezing, confiscating, and recovering proceeds of crime.
The approval of the Regulation also contributes to aligning national criminal asset recovery practices with European Union standards and practices, within the context of the Republic of Moldova's EU accession process.