Judge Tamara Mereuta and her son, lawyer Victor Mereuta, who were detained a few days ago by the National Anticorruption Center (CNA), have been placed in preventive detention for 25 days. The measure was ordered by the Chisinau Court, Ciocana branch, IPN reports.

Prosecutor Lidia Gololobov stated that the measure was requested due to risks related to influencing individuals and potential delays in the case.

Judge Mereuta’s lawyer, Oxana Esanu, told the press that the detention is illegal and that all measures applied are abusive.

According to the lawyer, no illicit financial assets were found during the searches, and law enforcement officers allegedly behaved in a degrading manner, which has been reported. Oxana Esanu also claimed that the judge is being subjected to public pressure through the dissemination of false information about her family members.

Lawyer Sergiu Tabara, representing Victor Mereuta, told the press that his client pleads not guilty. He argued that the prosecution lacks evidence and that the accusation is unfounded.

A few days ago, law enforcement authorities conducted searches in connection with 12 criminal cases involving active bribery, passive bribery, and aggravated influence peddling. The investigation targets four judges, one prosecutor, and three lawyers. However, only Judge Tamara Mereuta and her son have been arrested, while the other suspects are being investigated while remaining at liberty.