The Moldovan Employers Ferrous and Nonferrous Metals Recycling and Collection Association ascertains with concern that the pressure exerted on its members has been intensified and warns public opinion about the unordinary situation created on this market segment. The Association’s president Ion Drăniceru said that on July 23 he made public the fact that they are subject to pressure by a private business entity that wants to take over the metals market. Now the pressure has been increased and a number of member companies of the association and the homes of their managers were searched on August 3.
In a press briefing at IPN, Ion Drăniceru said that they earlier informed about those actions that were planned and that were based on false denouncements. The so-called Metalferos case features intermediary companies that have contracts with society. It was reported that 16 persons, four of whom were employees of the National Investigation Inspectorate, were arrested, but nothing was said about the persons who work in the metals sector. Searches were carried out at the homes of managers and at offices of enterprises and documents and stamps were seized.
“In other words, the intimidation actions continue unrestrictedly. Everything possible is done to fully block the activity even if we declared publicly that we do not hide anything and will present any information at request, absolutely openly. By a press release, the PGO informed that the stamps of the searched enterprises weren’t seized. We declare firmly that the stamps of at least three enterprises were seized and such an act reveals the intention and goal of these searches and arrests,” said the Association’s president.
Ion Drăniceru noted that others gave names when making statements and he will also do so. “So, based on a reasonable suspicion, the business entity about which we speak is “Sofilarex Plus”. This is controlled by Eșanu Valentin, who is the only founder and manager,” he stated.
According to Ion Drăniceru, there are also reasonable suspicions that the formulated accusations were based namely on Eșanu’s statements and these false statements led to the destabilization of the metals market in Moldova. “This perfectly suits him. Our conclusions derive from the fact that only the companies controlled by him haven’t been somehow affected since the so-called Metalferos case was started, even if he has worked for tens of years on the metals market, similar to the other business entities,” said Ion Drăniceru.
He voiced hope that the law enforcement agencies are not involved in the actions to destabilize the metals market whose final goal is to take over the business.
The Moldovan Employers Ferrous and Nonferrous Metals Recycling and Collection Association was registered with the Public Services Agency on July 7, 2020 and has a membership of about 20 companies.
