Sergiu Mocanu: Topa was convicted because he gave testimony against Plahotniuc

“The lawsuit against Victor Topa and his sentencing to 10 years in prison followed the giving of testimony by him in the case started by Vlad Plahotniuc against me,” the leader of the Anti-Mafia Movement Sergiu Mocanu has told Info-Prim Neo. The former presidential adviser said criminal cases were also opened against Viorel Topa, Razvan Paveliu and other persons who gave testimony in the mentioned case. “All the witnesses are intimidated because Vlad Plahotniuc wants to win the case started against me over slander. The first court ruled in his favor,” said Sergiu Mocanu. He also said that Victor Topa will appeal the decision whereby he was sentenced to 10 years in jail to a higher court. “We are taking measures to protect him and his family and the other witnesses in the case involving Vlad Plahotniuc,” said the leader of the Anti-Mafia Movement. The Anti-Mafia Movement, of which the Topa brothers form part, accuses First Deputy Speaker Vlad Plahotniuc of heading a mafia group that controls a number of state institutions and the ruling alliance. Businessman Victor Topa was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for obtaining the shares of Galina Proidisvet, ex-first vice president of Victoriabank, and her relatives by blackmail. The judgment was passed on October 19 in the absence of Victor Topa.