Seven persons, who include the liquidator of the state-run jewelry factory “Giuvaier” that went bankrupt will appear before court because they auctioned off the property managed by the Ministry of Economy without reasons. Among the accused are employees of the National House of Social Insurance, the State Tax Service and two authorized liquidators, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office sent to court the criminal case that was started against the seven persons over abuse of power in the attempt to illegally dispossess the state of property valued at over 20 million lei in November 2016, following a request made by the Prime Minister of Moldova.

At the end of last year, the prosecutors searched the office of a representative of the Lending Committee of “Giuvaier”, who is an employee of the Ministry of Economy, and other persons involved.

The abuse of power that results in serious consequences for the public interests carries a penalty of two to six years in jail or a fine of 67,500 to 117,500 lei, in both of the cases with ban on holding particular posts or performing a particular activity for five to ten years. The accused are to pay over 90,000 lei court costs.