Veronica Dragalin has criticized the recent court ruling that released Vladimir Andronachi on “personal guarantee”, a form of bail where respected individuals vouch for the accused person. The chief anticorruption prosecutor told a press conference Monday that she believes the former Democratic lawmaker belongs in custody, as a non-custodial measure could allow him to flee the country, like it happened with other suspects in the 2014 bank fraud case.

Andronachi was placed in preventive arrest in November 2022 and remained in custody until April 2023, when the measure was replaced with house arrest.

“We believe that there is a very high risk that the (accused) will not appear at court hearings. Why? Because the accused dodged investigation in the summer of 2021, when searches were carried out. After that Vladimir Andronachi left the country. The AP Office declared him a fugitive from justice and he was brought to Moldova from Ukraine in November 2022 and placed in preventive detention. The fact that he has already evaded prosecution poses a risk. Secondly, this is a high-profile case and the crimes charged are particularly serious”, said Veronica Dragalin.

The court accepted the guarantees of four persons, who posted a total 22,000 lei ($1,255) in bail. “Apparently the judge was convinced this is enough to deter (Andronachi) from fleeing. Our Office thinks this is a bad decision (…) But the ruling may not be appealed”.

To find at least some kind of satisfaction, the AP Office asked the Higher Council of the Judiciary to consider disciplinary action against the respective judges, but the request was rejected.

Andronachi is charged with fraud and money laundering “in particularly large amounts”, with prosecutors believing he was responsible for stealing at least 26 million lei.