A man from the south of the country is being investigated by the officers of the National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) in an influence peddling case, as he is suspected of having promised some Moldovan citizens that he could ensure their crossing of the Moldovan-Romanian border with a biometric passport, issued by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, even if they had violated the legal term of stay in the Schengen area. During the documentation, at least 30 episodes of the suspect's involvement in actions claiming and receiving illicit remuneration for the purpose of organizing the unimpeded crossing of the state border were recorded.

According to the case materials, the suspect would have claimed and received from each person between 250 and 400 euros, in order to facilitate their crossing of the Romanian border and, respectively, the entry into the Schengen zone, claiming that he would have influence on the employees of the Romanian Border Police. Thus, he would have assured Moldovan citizens the crossing of the Moldovan-Romanian border in the direction of exit and entry from/to the Republic of Moldova.

To accumulate evidence, searches were carried out, under the procedural direction of the Cahul Prosecutor's Office, at the home and in the suspect's car. As a result, several sums of money were taken, in different currencies, the provenance of which is to be established. Currently, the man is detained for 72 hours and placed in the NAC Detention Centre.

We remind that on November 6, 2024, three people were searched by the NAC in a case of influence peddling. They would have promised Moldovans entry into the Schengen area with overstays against a bribe, and the anti-corruption officers documented 25 episodes. Research in this case continues.

Every person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is issued.