Two men are under criminal investigation after allegedly requesting over half a million lei bribe to "intervene" in order to help a person accused of trafficking in human beings avoid criminal liability, IPN reports.

The National Anticorruption Center (NAC) on Monday morning carried out searches at the homes of the two men, who are from Chisinau and Rezina. They are investigated for traffic of influence after trying to obtain half a million lei for influencing a court decision.

According to preliminary data, the two persons claimed that they had influence over persons holding public posts and could make them intervene in order to free the person accused of trafficking in human beings from criminal liability.

They purportedly asked for €31,000 and received €20,000 from the interested person.

Objects and documents important for the criminal case were seized during the searches. The suspects are to be escorted to the NAC to be questioned as suspects.