The Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases instituted criminal proceedings over the kidnapping of Ukrainian citizen Nicolai Ceaus on Moldova’s territory on April 3. Minister of the Interior Pavel Voicu informed about this in a meeting called by acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi, IPN reports.

According to the Government’s press service, Pavel Voicu said that checks were stepped up at all the border crossing points in response to reports that a car with diplomatic license numbers crossed the border through the “green corridor” without being subject to customs control. Immediately after the kidnapping was reported, all the specialized units of the Ministry intervened. There were identified three cars that were used in the kidnapping and the circle of involved persons. One person was arrested.

The police and the prosecutors established a circle of foreigners who entered Moldova starting with March 23, including on the day of kidnapping. The information about these persons is being verified. The state institutions obtained relevant evidence in this case, including videos and notes. Pavel Voicu noted they bank on cooperation with the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine.

Nicolai Ceaus is a Ukrainian citizen. In 2016, he started to be investigated for bribery and other illegalities in Ukraine. In 2017, crossing illegally Moldova’s border, he asked for political asylum from the presidential institution. His request was rejected and the refusal is now being examined at the Supreme Court of Justice. Until his request is not solved, he can move freely on Moldova’s territory and live the country. In 2019-2020, the law enforcement bodies of Moldova were repeatedly asked by Ukrainian counterparts to extradite Nicolai Ceaus,