Former Deputy Minister of the Interior Ghenadie Cosovan, who is a witness in the case concerning the corruption of lawmakers, admitted that he was directly involved in this case. He made related statements over the phone in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, the news portal “Moldova24” reported, quoted by IPN.
“They tried to corrupt particular MPs as a result of my action,” said Ghenadie Cosovan. According to him, the criminal case was started based on his statements. He personally furnished the National Anticorruption Center with the recordings about the corruption of MPs, which were made public on March 7.
The ex-deputy minister also said that he was offered US$100,000, posts, a monthly salary and relations abroad for his assistance. “Before being named to high-ranking posts of my choice, I was to be paid a monthly salary and then conferred the rank of general. I refused. I was told that if the operation is successful, I will have big friends abroad and in Moldova,” stated Ghenadie Cosovan.
He refused to reveal the names of those who were behind this scheme, but said that the investigators possess concrete names. Ghenadie Cosovan confirmed that he was the intermediary to whom former police officer Vitalie Burlacu, who was caught red-handed by the National Anticorruption Center, was to transmit the money for the lawmakers.
“When they tried to convince me to become a traitor of the motherland, I was told that the matter is rather serious and I can lose my head if I play. Now I try to be attentive, not to come into contact and not to answer the phones,” stated Ghenadie Cosovan, when he was asked if he is blackmailed.
During an operation performed by the Anticorruption Center on March 7, former policeman Vitalie Burlacu and his girlfriend Irina Baglai were caught in the act of transmitting US$250,000 to the intermediary. The money was to be passed on to an MP for leaving the government coalition. Afterward, the prosecutors and anticorruption officer found half a million euros in a safe deposit box in a Chisinau bank. The safe was rented by Irina Baglai.
The two suspects are under arrest. On April 11, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office announced that the investigation was completed and the case was sent to court.
