30 Beneficiaries Identified in Interpol Bribery Case
The Moldovan anti-corruption prosecutors have identified, up to this stage, 30 alleged beneficiaries of a criminal scheme discovered by Interpol, stated anti-corruption chief Veronica Dragalin on TVR Moldova.
She avoided giving names but mentioned that it involves individuals from several countries, including the Republic of Moldova. Dragalin also stated that the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office conducted all investigations and searches in this case independently to prevent information leaks.
"This is a very sensitive and confidential investigation. I have done everything independently, only with anti-corruption prosecutors and officers. We had no information leaks before the searches. No information from phones or other evidence has been erased. I am very proud of this, and I believe it is a first for the Republic of Moldova. I do not believe that the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has previously conducted so many searches independently at the same time," said Veronica Dragalin.
However, the head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office expressed regret that after the searches, some documents were published on Telegram and other networks: "It is quite serious that we have such lawyers. I suppose that those who had access to the documents are the lawyers and the targeted individuals. The fact that these documents are published not only harms the investigation, because there are still people we are looking for who need to be located and detained, but it also has a negative effect on those mentioned in the documents, who might be witnesses."
The detention of several individuals, including officials from state structures of the Republic of Moldova, was announced by the head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, Veronica Dragalin, on June 4. They allegedly received bribes worth millions of dollars to block or erase "red notices" issued by Interpol, which signal internationally wanted criminals.
On June 5, searches were conducted on another person, resulting in their detention. Of the five people detained, four have been released. On the same day, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office requested the 30-day detention of the BNC Interpol chief, Viorel Țentiu, and on June 6, the judges ordered his preventive arrest.
The head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, Veronica Dragalin, present at the trial session, declared that "Viorel Țentiu is accused of passive corruption on two counts." After the decision was pronounced, Sergiu Bularu, Viorel Țentiu's lawyer, specified that he pleads not guilty and will appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
