The former head of the Straseni District Police Inspectorate was arrested for 72 hours on corruption charges. The National Anticorruption Center said in a press release that he extorted a total 13,500 euros in two installments from the family of a man who was facing criminal proceedings.

According to the informant, the former police official asked money to arrange for the man to be released from custody and placed under house arrest, and then for him to be cleared of criminal charges altogether.

Homes and offices of other police officers were searched on Wednesday in connection with the case to identify accomplices. Phone and other objects were seized as evidence.

Two other people are investigated in this case. The former Straseni police chief faces up to 15 years in prison.