Former official of preventive medicine center spared from jail

After a trial lasting since 2005, a court from Chisinau acquitted Sergiu Matu, the former deputy head of the Preventive Medicine Center from Chisinau, accused of extortion of bribe. The prosecutors demanded 16 years of imprisonment for him, but the judges fined him 3,000 lei, finding him guilty only of a an offense, Info-Prim Neo reports. The sentence reads: “Sergiu Matu is acquitted on reason his act does not have the components of the an infraction.” The judges vow to ask explanations from the general prosecutor and from the anti-corruption squad as to violations admitted while carrying out the inquest on Matu.” The prosecutors accused Sergiu Matu of extorting money and asking for payoffs totaling over 100,000 lei. The prosecutors displayed videos showing Matu receiving 10,000 lei from an entrepreneur. Sergiu Matu did not comment the decision of the court. His lawyer said they will be happy, “when the decision stay valid.” Prosecutor Victor Muruziuc says he will sue the writ in a higher court and will further ask that Matu is held in a prison. “Matu is not the person to be corrected through a simple fine,” he said. The sentence may be appealed within 15 days.