The Chisinau Appeals Court increased the punishment for Irina Baglai, who is charged in the case of MP corruption, from two years’ probation to eight years in jail. It also upheld the sentence of 11 years and four months in jail given to the other accused, Vitalie Burlacu.

Contacted by IPN, prosecutor Vitalie Galeru said Irina Baglai was found guilty of active corruption even if the ordinary court convicted her only of favoring the offense. Ex-police officer Vitalie Burlacu is in custody, while Irina Baglai left the courtroom before the court passed judgment. She hasn’t been yet put on the wanted list as the court decision hasn’t been sent to the police for implementation.

The Chisinau Appeals Court also imposed fines on the culprits – 80,000 lei on Vitalie Burlacu and 140,000 lei on Irina Baglai.

The case of MP corruption was started in March 2014. During an operation performed by the National Anticorruption Center, former police officer Vitalie Burlacu and his girlfriend Irina Baglai were caught in the act of transmitting US$250,000 to an intermediary. The money was to be passed on to an MP for making this leave the government coalition. Later, another half a million euros was found in a safe deposit box in a bank in Chisinau. The box was rented by Irina Baglai. The ordinary court pronounced its sentence in July 2016.