Businessmen say they were victims of Vlad Plahotniuc, but refuse to present evidence in court

After making accusations against controversial businessman Vlad Plahotniuc, who is said to be financing the PDM, on August 11 presidential adviser Sergiu Mocan came before the press accompanied by witnesses who, according to him, can prove the wrongdoings committed by Plahotniuc, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Sergiu Mocanu, “the proofs” are the businessmen who suffered because of Vlad Plahotniuc's actions. The businessman said they have proofs, but will not present them in court or to the police because they will not find justice there. Most of those who accompanied Sergiu Mocanu at the news conference said the same prosecutors and the same anticorruption officers started criminal cases against them by order. Ilie Rotar, former director SA Gemeni, said he was a victim of the “Plahotniuc octopus”. A number of legal cases were opened against him, while his business is now managed by Vlad Plahotniuc's right-hand man, Igor Prisacaru. Victor Topa and Viorel Topa, representatives of a group of companies that owned holdings in the commercial bank Victoriabank, said Vlad Plahotniuc deprived them of shares overnight. “This lad (Vlad Plahotniuc – e.n.) took under control all the sectors of the national economy – the meat import, mobile phones, electric power – and now he wants to seize power,” Victor Topa said. “We are not criminals. We have never been in conflict with the law. One day we were attacked, but could not seek justice at state institutions as they were controlled by Plahotniuc.” The former head of SA Carmez Anatol Caslaru said he was arrested and accused of robbing the company in order to appropriate his business, as in the case of former director of SA Franzeluta Spiridon Danilescu. Asked why they made disclosures only now, the businessmen said they waited for the power to be changed. Afterward, they were afraid not to cause harm to the Alliance for European Integration. Sergiu Mocanu said an anti-mafia committee will be soon set up in Moldova to identify all the crimes. It will be financially supported by foreign partners. In a televised program on Tuesday, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said Sergiu Mocanu's statements about the power of Vlad Plahotniuc in Moldova disturb him more than the Democrat leader Marian Lupu because the state institutions are involved. He said he requested the competent bodies to clarify the situation and asked those who make accusations to provide evidence. Sergiu Mocanu was sued by Vlad Plahotniuc. If found guilty, he will have to pay 2 million lei for defamation.