175,000 lei is the fine imposed on a young woman who was found guilty of influence peddling in a criminal case involving COVID-19 vaccination certificates. Specifically, the young woman helped a number of people to obtain the vaccination certificate for a fee, without them administering the vaccine. The sentence was pronounced by the Buiucani Court of Chisinau based on a plea agreement, IPN reports.

According to the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, the criminal investigation was initiated three years ago. The defendant, between July and August 2021, offered €100 to a person to obtain a COVID-19 certificate, without actually being vaccinated. As for the person who took the money, the criminal case was separate.

As a result of these actions, the defendant and another person obtained COVID-19 certificates, being registered in the database as vaccinated, although they were not actually immunized.

Also, between May and August 2021, the defendant, together with two other persons, claimed that they had influence over family doctors and employees of public health facilities. In exchange for that influence, they requested and received, through another person (in respect of whom the criminal case was separated), the sum of €1,380 by bank transfer. As a result of these actions, four more people obtained COVID-19 certificates, being registered in the database as vaccinated, although they were not actually immunized.