A criminal case over persuasion to commit suicide was started in the case of the mayor of Sangera town, who was found shot dead in his house.

Acting head of the Chisinau Prosecutor’s Office Vitalei Sibov has told IPN that a number of persons were questioned, including neighbors, relatives and colleagues. The criminal case was transferred from the Botanica Police Inspectorate to the prosecution unit of the Chisinau Police Division.

The mayor of Sangera town was found dead in his home on July 30. The preliminarily version of the police is suicide. The mayor apparently shot himself with the gun he held legally.

Under the Penal Code, persuasion to commit suicide carries a penalty of at most four years in jail.

Mihai Lari, 55, was chosen mayor of Sangera in the local elections of 2015, on the ticket of the Liberal Party. He earlier also held this post, but before being chosen mayor in 2015 he worked at the Transport Division of the Chisinau Municipal Council.