Acting Prosecutor General Eduard Harunjen received the Superior Council of Magistracy’s consent to taking legal action over a new count in the case of laundering of billions of US dollars from Russia. The move comes on weak after a number of current and former judges as well as bailiffs were charged with complicity to laundering US$20 billion from Russia through the Moldovan banking system, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the collected evidence shows the actions of the given judges represent also the constitutive elements of another offense, namely deliberate passing of illegal judgment with serious consequences. Based on the second count, the judges face up to seven years in prison.

Fifteen incumbent and former judges and three bailiffs were arrested within an operation performed in Chisinau and other settlements a week ago. The operation was authorized by the Superior Council of Magistracy, which allowed searching, arresting and investigating the suspects.

At the request of prosecutors, the 18 persons were remanded in custody for 30 days, being charges with complicity to money laundering. One more judge and a bailiff were put on the wanted list.