Frarauding European funds will be punished more severely. The justice ministry has drafted a bill amending the penal code, introducing fines of up to 3 million lei and prison sentences of up to 10 years. The draft is on the agenda of the January 15 government meeting, IPN reports.
Thus, individuals who use European funds for purposes other than those provided for by law will be fined between 150 and 550 thousand lei or imprisonment of up to three years. For legal persons, the fines range from 250 thousand lei to one million lei or the liquidation of the legal entity.
If the crime is committed by public officials or organized criminal groups, fines can range from 250,000 to 3 million lei, or they risk up to 10 years in prison.
The draft law aims to harmonize criminal legislation with the provisions of the EU Directive on combating fraud against the financial interests of the European Union, through criminal law means including in the context of the Republic of Moldova's candidate status for EU membership.
"The protection of the European Union's financial interests is a major concern of both the Community institutions and the national authorities. The establishment of a strengthened regulatory framework to combat fraudulent conduct with an impact on the revenue, expenditure and assets making up the general budget of the European Union is a particularly important link in the process of accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union", writes the author of the draft.
