An MP from the Gagauzia Autonomous Region sentenced for influence peddling with a fine and confiscation of over 400,000 lei, in a case initiated by the National Anti-corruption Centre

The Chisinau Court, Buiucani headquarters, have pronounced the sentence of conviction, in the criminal case accusing a current Member of Parliament from the Gagauzia Autonomous Region of committing the crime of influence peddling allegedly against a judge from the Chisinau Court. The criminal investigation was initiated in March 2023, by the National Anti-corruption Centre, based on a complaint, the criminal case being under the leadership of the Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office.

According to the evidence administered, the defendant, during the period October 2019-August 2021, claimed and received, in three instalments, from the informant, who had a direct interest in obtaining a favourable court decision in a civil case, monetary means in a total amount of 12,000 euros, claiming that, through other persons, he has influence over a judge at the Chisinau Court, Centre headquarters, who was examining the civil case in which the informant had the procedural capacity of the defendant. As a result, the civil case was not resolved in favour of the informant.

Thus, by the sentence of November 26, 2024, the court found the defendant guilty of committing influence peddling, establishing a penalty in the form of a fine of 175,000 lei. At the same time, the court ordered the special confiscation of the defendant's amount of 240,910 lei (the equivalent of 12,000 euros), for the benefit of the state, as assets resulting from the commission of the crime.

The sentence can be appealed to the Chisinau Court of Appeal, within 15 days.

Note: The person accused of committing a crime shall be presumed innocent as long as his/her guilt is not established by a final court decision.