Former Democratic MP Vladimir Andronachi was placed under arrest for 30 days based on a warrant issued by the judge of inquiry. The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office (APO) said the ex-MP denies any wrongdoing and refuses to make statements, IPN reports.
“The accusations refer to the activities performed by a group of persons in the autumn of 2014. Using false documents and information, the persons influenced the signing of an investment contract with Banca de Economii SA on the pretext of reconstructing and repairing a new office for the bank. Based on this contract, the bank transferred about 32 million lei to a company that was effectively controlled by Vladimir Andronachi, which this converted, placed and stratified through the agency of a number of nonresident companies with accounts opened in two banks in Latvia. About 6 million lei was restored to Banca de Economii SA that was under liquation in 2015. The total damage caused was assessed at about 26 million lei. The money obtained by swindle and money laundering was mainly used to pay for personal costs, to purchase real estate and cars and to invest in other businesses,” the APO said in a press release.
As to the official charges against Vladimir Andronachi, prosecutors identified and sequestrated property to the value of about 26 million lei, including real estate, shareholdings and cash.
A part of the money obtained by this scheme was used by Vladimir Plahotniuc to purchase a plane. The case against the former Democratic leader over this episode is to be sent to court and to be tried in absentia. A court hearing to take a relevant decision is to take place on November 3.
In March 2022, three more persons were indicted in this case and are being tried. Another three persons were accused of complicity and money laundering. An international arrest warrant is to be issued against one of these. Over 60 persons have been accused in this case so far.
On Wednesday morning, the police informed about the arrest of controversial businessman Vladimir Andronachi at the Criva-Mamalîga border crossing point, when he wanted to enter Moldova. According to the APO, Andronachi was declared undesirable in Ukraine and was expelled from the neighboring country.
