Update /12:17pm/: Four persons were arrested on suspicion of involvement in illegal businesses with lots of land in Ghidighici. These are the chief architect of the Ghidighici mayor’s office and three beneficiaries of the corruption scheme with land. They are suspected of acts of corruption that are investigated in 38 criminal cases.

The National Anticorruption Center said over 300,000 lei was seized from some of the suspects as a result of searches. The police are to examine the origin of this money and to determine if this was gained as a result of the given illegalities. There were also seized sale and purchase contracts, decisions and agreements to extend leases and other relevant documents.

(Initial news item) More than 20 searches were carried out in the offices and homes of eight persons who are suspected of taking part in a corruption scheme with lots of land situated in Ghidighici commune. According to the National Anticorruption Center, the scheme was implemented by functionaries of the Ghidighici mayor’s office and of other authorities, IPN reports.

The scheme is probed as part of 38 criminal cases that were merged into one procedure. The searched persons are suspected of legalizing for money a number of construction works in Ghidighici. The chief architect was the person who managed this network that consisted of functionaries of other authorities. In exchange for illicit remuneration, he helped to obtain the permissive documents needed for different purposes. He asked for money for his services, saying he has influence on members of the Urbanism and Rural Development Commission and on local councilors. The process of preparing the necessary documents also involved building site chiefs, engineers, employees of the Chisinau local cadastral office and business entities.

Four of the suspects were escorted for questioning and are to be remanded in custody for 72 hours. They face a maximum jail term of ten years, fine and ban on holding public posts for a particular period of time.