The arrest of the 15 judges suspected of involvement in the laundering of US$20 billion from Russia has no connection with the election campaign, two officials assured in the program “Moldova live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports.

Teodor Carnat, a member of the Superior Council of Magistracy, said the institution he represents notified the Prosecutor General’s Office of the given problem a long time ago. “There were heated discussions when the Council was asked to give its consent to the investigation and arrest of the judges. The acting prosecutor general explained that a longer period of time was needed to collect evidence. We also discussed the suspension of these judges from post. This case has nothing to do with the political developments,” he stated.

Deputy Minister of Justice Nicolae Esanu also said that the delay in taking legal action against the judges involved in money laundering was due to the necessity of collecting proofs. “It is very hard to investigate such offenses. We must have conclusive evidence if we want not only echoes on TV,” he stated.

Cornelia Cozonac, director of the Journalistic Investigations Center, voiced hope that the arrest of judges will not be used to transfer image to a particular party in the election period.