Ex-Gagauzia speaker wanted by Interpol over €2.3m embezzlement
Interpol has placed Dmitri Constantinov, the former speaker of the regional legislature of Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia, on its international wanted list.
The General Inspectorate of Police (IGP) confirmed the measure. Constantinov faces a 12-year prison sentence for abuse of power and grand embezzlement.
Legal conflict creates loophole
The international warrant follows a controversial domestic ruling. In late May, the Southern Court of Appeal canceled Constantinov’s domestic wanted status.
The court accepted defense arguments that the sentence was not yet final or enforceable. Law enforcement authorities bypassed this regional block by elevating the search to a global level.
Millions siphoned from local enterprise
Prosecutors established that Constantinov orchestrated illicit financial transfers between 2017 and 2020. He illegally moved funds from a company in Comrat to an affiliated entity.
The scheme caused massive financial damage to the enterprise. The total loss exceeds €2.35 million (approx. 46 million MDL), according to investigators.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
