NAC synthesis: Searches at ANSA and 4 transport operators, two convictions in the cases initiated by the NAC and assets of 1.5 million lei seized

The National Anti-corruption Centre has reported several searches, last week, in corruption files that targeted illegal activities of some transport operators and some employees of the National Agency of Food Safety (ANSA). At the beginning of the week, the NAC officers carried out 15 searches in Ialoveni and Chisinau on 4 operators, suspected of the illicit transport of tobacco products and other goods by evading customs procedures, and on Wednesday, 3 ANSA officials from Soroca were searched in a passive corruption file for collecting illegal payments from an economic agent. Also last week, two women were convicted in the cases initiated by the NAC. In the first case, a citizen of Ukraine was sentenced to 4 years in prison and fined 200 thousand lei, being found guilty of corrupting a public figure with 20 thousand dollars - a case initiated based on a complaint. In the second case, a young woman was fined 175,000 lei in the case generically called "the COVID-19 certificates". At the moment, 3 people, arrested in the cases initiated by the NAC, are placed in penitentiaries and 5 people are under house arrest. During the reference period, criminal investigation officers opened 15 criminal cases.

NAC's Criminal Asset Recovery Agency (CARA) seized assets worth approximately 1.5 million lei in corruption cases based on the delegations of the Anti-corruption Prosecutor’s Office (AP). These include 2 dwellings and cash, seized in a case of the abuse of office. Also, other assets previously seized worth 2.2 million lei, were confirmed by court decision and a freezing order on a dwelling was issued.

In the field of corruption prevention, the Legislation Directorate completed and delivered to the authors 11 expert reports on draft normative acts, last week. During the mentioned period, 17 anti-corruption trainings were organized. The NAC notifies the completion of 4 operational analyses, 13 judicial expertises, the release of 268 integrity records, the reception of 45 calls to the National Anti-corruption Hotline and the registration of 1593 materials in the Centre’s Chancellery.