The mayor of the village of Floreni, Anenii Noi, and a local councillor were detained in two criminal cases, started on the fact of passive corruption and traffic of influence. The two are suspected of claiming 350 thousand lei from a local businessman to legalize a land plot that has been in his use for several years, IPN reports.

According to a press release of the National Anticorruption Centre, in order to give him legitimate rights to the land, the two allegedly proposed the businessman to lease the land plot, after which to offer the possibility of buying it. The suspects were supposed to influence the members of the Local Council to render a decision to lease the land.

The money was given in three instalments, under the CNA control. Following the transfer of the last instalment, the mayor and the councillor were escorted to the CNA. Two cases were initiated against them - for passive corruption and traffic of influence.

According to the effective legislation, if found guilty, they risk a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.