The former vice president of Ascom Group Andrei Bashtovoi, who was a member of Moldova’s first Parliament, and his son Valentin Bashtovoi, were sentenced to jail by the political order of Democratic MP Vlad Plahotniuc, said the leader of the People’s Movement “Antimafie” Sergiu Mocanu and Bashtovoi’s lawyer Gheorghe Susarenco.

On December 23, Andrei Bashtovoi was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for significant embezzlement, while his son to eight years in prison for planning the murder of his former Ascom Group chief, billionaire Anatol Stati.

In a news conference at IPN, Sergiu Mocanu said that Andrei Bashtovoi and Anatol Stati had a hostile relationship and the latter, through the agency of Vlad Plahotniuc, obtained the conviction of Andrei Bashtovoi and his son. “It is an exemplary conviction to show others that those who will be against the ruling mafia will pay as Bashtovoi. This family does not represent a political or economic force and poses no danger. Simply Plahotniuc obtains exemplary convictions,” said Sergiu Mocanu.

The leader of “Antimafie” in this case blames also Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, who is Stati’s relative. “Two weeks ago, I met Andrei Bashtovoi and told him to leave the country. He confirmed that he was under threat, but said he believed in the Moldovan justice,” said Sergiu Mocanu.

Lawyer Gheorghe Susarenco said the sentence was passed by a panel of the Buiucani Court consisting of three judges. One of them had a separate opinion. The judge said that Andrei and Valentin Bashtovoi must be acquitted as they have no guilt.

According to the lawyer, justice in Moldova is biased, while the administration has double standards as it says something in Brussels and does something else at home.