A lawyer from Chisinau was arrested on suspicion that he asked for €52,000 bribe from the mother of a culprit whose interests he represented in court for helping him avoid jail on murder charges, IPN reports.

According to the National Anticorruption Center, the suspect contacted the culprit’s mother and told her that he has influence on judges of the Supreme Court of Justice and can persuade them to acquit her son by a final decision. For his services, the lawyer asked for €45,000 and in a period another €7,000. The denouncer transmitted €52,000 in total in person or through other persons.

Following the denouncement, the police took legal action over influence peddling. Today, as a result of investigation measures, the lawyer was arrested and remanded in custody for 72 hours. He faces a maximum jail term of eight years or a fine.