The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office has taken to the mass media to notify the former leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova Vlad Plahotniuc that he is required to appear tomorrow at 10:00 for depositions as a suspect charged with money laundering in very large proportions. The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office states in a press release that it uses this form of public notification given that there is no other way of informing Plahotniuc, whose whereabouts are unknown.

If Plahotniuc fails to appear at the hearing without good reason, he might be brought in by force. Also, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office recalls that any suspect, including Vlad Plahotniuc, enjoys the presumption of innocence.

APO initiated the case on September 23 based on a reasonable suspicion of money laundering in very large proportions, without mentioning how many persons were targeted.

Under the Criminal Code, the crime of money laundering in very large proportions is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.