The mayor of Balti, Alexandr Petkov, believes that the National Anticorruption Center (CNA)'s press release regarding the detention of a former employee of Balti City Hall is part of a premeditated smear campaign against the institution he leads. According to the mayor, some employees of the CNA’s Northern Directorate are excelling in their deliberate efforts to tarnish Balti City Hall's reputation, allegedly at the direct instruction of a member of Parliament. Following his insistence, false information from the press release was removed.
"What happened yesterday was premeditated. The person detained by the CNA has nothing to do with Balti City Hall, despite what was implied in the statement," Petkov told IPN.
According to him, the detained individual worked at Balti City Hall for a short period until December 31, 2019. From March 3, 2021, to May 30, 2023, the person was employed in another city hall in a village in Moldova.
"Some employees of the CNA’s Northern Directorate are leading a deliberate smear campaign against Balti City Hall, under the direct orders of MP Boris Marcoci," the mayor claimed.
Petkov also stated that due to this campaign - allegedly involving CNA representatives - Balti has suffered immense damage, including obstacles in implementing international projects supported by foreign partners.
"According to CNA statements, Balti City Hall is portrayed as the most corrupt in Moldova. These actions and incompetence harm our city's reputation," Petkov added.
The mayor further mentioned that he demanded changes to the CNA's press release, which he described as "false and defamatory". Following his request, CNA officials apologized and corrected the statement.
On Thursday, the National Anticorruption Center initially issued a press release stating that a former employee of Balti City Hall had been detained in an influence-peddling case, accused of demanding a 50,000-leu bribe. However, the statement was later amended to specify that the detained individual was "a former public official from northern Moldova," not a former Balti City Hall employee, as initially reported.
