The Chisinau City Council abused its authority in the privatization deal concerning a land plot on Armeneasca Street, Sergiu Palihovici, head of the territorial office of the State Chancellery, told a news conference on Tuesday. The City Council issued a decision on 16 March 2006 authorizing the then-ruling Communist Party to use a land plot on 44/3 Armeneasca Street for the purpose of constructing an office building. Later, on 22 January 2009, the land was privatized, yet in the privatization papers its area rose from 0.247ha to 0.278 ha. “I wish to stress that this is unacceptable and illegal, and it is beyond the authority of the Chisinau Municipal Council. It should have been done with the consent of the government and in conformity with the law”, said Sergiu Palihovici. Palihovici's office initiated proceedings into this case following an interpellation from Liberal MP Valeriu Muntean. The court has been requested to impound the building to prevent attempts of selling it. Prior to being granted for use to the Communist Party, the plot in question was a public sports ground, but the law states that such type of land may be granted for use only to non-governmental organizations, which is not the case of political parties, added Sergiu Palihovici.