Liberal Party leader Mihai Ghimpu thinks that the amendments proposed by the Government to remove the penal punishment for smuggling are promoted by someone who wants to protect oneself in future. The statements were made during a talk-show on Radio Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I have the impression that someone is afraid of being criminally liable in the future. Today, this person is in power, but won’t be so in 5 or 10 years, and because traces remain, this person might be criminally liable for the trucks smuggled with God knows what. I’m really curious who came up with the idea and the only answer is that someone wants to protect oneself in future”, said Ghimpu. The Liberal leader warns that the phenomenon of smuggling is growing. “The law that punishes a crime isn’t meant to obtain money for the budget, because this is not the role of law, but it must educate. Today, smuggling is punishable by fines and jail. The man who knows that smuggling isn’t criminally punished thinks that he may get caught once, but will succeed three other times. The customs officers might let him pass 10 times and catch him once just to show that they are working”, said the politician. The PL position regarding these amendments is that the smuggler caught for the first time should be fined, but one who is caught the second time should be criminally liable. “The law must be harsh. It is a shame that smuggling and corruption flourish here, while people live in poverty. The EU won’t tolerate this for long”, remarked Ghimpu. According to the bill proposed by the Government, smuggling, except for drugs and guns, won’t be punished according to the Penal Code, but will be penalized with a contravention fine of 3000 lei. Currently, the Penal Code stipulates maximum fines of 10,000 conventional units (200,000 lei) and up to 10 years in jail. The Government’s proposal wasn’t approved by the commission on legal issues, appointments and immunities. The Liberal, Democratic and Communist MPs all voted against, while the Liberal-Democrats supported it.