Former Premier Iurie Leancă didn’t fully understand the essence and consequences of the provision of state guarantees in the case of the theft of the US$ 1 billion, while another ex-Premier Kiril Gaburici was against this solution identified by others, former Prime Minister Vlad Filat, ex-leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, stated in an interview given in Penitentiary No. 13 for TV8 channel, IPN reports.
As regards the provision of state guarantees for filling the gap in the banking system, Vlad Filat said a meeting was held at the State Residence with the involvement the then President Nicolae Timofti, his adviser Ion Păduraru, the then Premier Iurie Leancă, him, Vlad Filat, the then Parliament Speaker Igor Corman and Vladimir Plahotniuc, who didn’t manage the Democratic Party at that time. Then, Iurie Leancă and Vladimir Plahotniuc spoke about the danger threatening the banking system, not owing to the developments at Banca de Economii, but rather to the risks posed by the actions taken by Veaceslav Platon before the snap elections of 2014. “This scarecrow, the Russian tanks and Veaceslav Platon were often used to promote particular ideas. To prevent a situation of incapacity to act – I tell this based on what I remember from the assertions of Plahotniuc - the Government was to provide state guarantees so as to offer money from the National Bank, if need be. This was the general discussion,” stated Vlad Filat, noting the initiative to consider the offering of guarantees came from Iurie Leancă, but the relevant explanations were provided by Vladimir Plahotniuc.
According to him, Iurie Leancă didn’t fully realize the size and consequences of such an action and acted as he was explained to act. The request to provide the first state guarantee of 9.5 billion lei was intensely made by Vladimir Plahotniuc, while the second request to offer a guarantee of 5.5 billion lei came from the National Bank and this was released when the Government was headed by Kiril Gaburici. “I must tell you that Mister Gaburici wasn’t very happy and was even against this solution,” stated the ex-Premier.
Vlad Filat noted the bank fraud was designed by Sergey Iaralov, current vice president of the Democratic Party and the trustworthy person of Vladimir Plahotniuc.
“I’m convinced that he was the brains behind this incredible scheme and coordinated its implementation. This is the truth. All the discussions on the issue involved him.”
The interview was conducted in Penitentiary No. 13 where the former Prime Minister is serving his nine-year sentence for passive corruption and influence peddling. He is also investigated in another case for considerable money laundering. Vlad Filat pleads not guilty, saying his case is political in character.
