The Minister of Internal Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Nastase, argues that at the moment smuggling in the Republic of Moldova has dropped substantially. The minister assures that "smuggling schemes are being disrupted and dismantled almost on daily basis". The statement was made within the framework of "Punctul pe azi" program, on TVR Moldova, IPN reports.
"You certainly know about the proceedings initiated by us in connection with the inadvertences and illegalities that occurred at Chisinau International Airport and with border strengthening in the area. Of course, when you shutter the windows, nobody can pass. I am sure there are exceptions as well, but it is not what it used to be, I can assure you,” says the minister.
Also, Andrei Năstase gives assurances that smuggling schemes have not been taken over by other people. “People who were involved, according to our knowledge, have been released for the most part. Even a Border Police officer was arrested last night and this is part of what we call system cleansing - excluding people who do not belong there, "said the head of MAI.
In other news, Andrei Nastase says that Ilan Șor, who was declared internationally wanted by Interpol, can be brought back to the Republic of Moldova, if he is apprehended in a country the citizenship of which he does not possess. According to Andrei Nastase, if he is in Israel, as rumour has it, and if he has the citizenship of that country, then it will be more complicated. “The authorities of the Republic of Moldova, and especially the law enforcement bodies, first of all I refer to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, follow certain procedures. The procedures are so strictly observed that any risks of Ilan Shor not being declared internationally wanted have been eliminated. Finally, he is an internationally wanted person”, said the minister.
According to him, the same thing will happen to the former leader of the Democratic Party, Vladimir Plahotniuc. "In the course of my visit to the United States of America, I will make sure to bring to the attention of all institutions the fact that in the Republic of Moldova there is a criminal case on the usurpation of state power. I hope that prosecutors will move faster than Plahotniuc and his accomplices in state power usurpation expect, and that soon the same steps will be taken against Plahotniuc – issuing of an internationally wanted person notice and initiating of criminal proceedings,” said Andrei Nastase.
Shortly after the announcement that the PDM is withdrawing from the government in June, the former leader of the democrats left the territory of the Republic of Moldova. For the moment, one does not know for sure where he is, but rumour has it that he could be in the USA.