Three detained in Gagauzia corruption case: CNA uncovers military bribery scheme
Three individuals were detained this morning following searches conducted by the Moldovan National Anticorruption Center (CNA) and prosecutors in connection with two cases of passive bribery and influence peddling.
The investigation targeted officials from the Territorial Military Center (CMT) in the Autonomous Territorial Unit (UTA) of Gagauzia and an intermediary. They are suspected of receiving various sums of money from individuals subject to conscription into the armed forces of the Republic of Moldova to exempt them from mandatory military service.
According to materials gathered by the CNA, the intermediary is believed to have acted in concert with the Head of the Human Resources Department of the Gagauzia CMT, who, in turn, claimed to have influence over the Head of the Recruitment and Mobilization Department, asserting that he could persuade the latter to take actions contrary to his official duties. They allegedly demanded and received sums of up to 1,000 euros to prevent the initiation of the conscription process into the National Army or to avoid holding individuals accountable for evading mandatory military service.
During the investigation, several instances were documented where individuals were either exempted or deferred from military service, as well as cases where they were not held accountable for evasion—actions carried out in exchange for various sums of money.
Following the searches conducted by the CNA, the Head of the Recruitment and Mobilization Department of the Gagauzia CMT, the Head of the Human Resources Department, and the intermediary were detained for 72 hours. The investigation is ongoing under the leadership of prosecutors from Cahul.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
