Gherman Gorbunțov: Vlad Plahotniuc is not guilty. Renato Usatîi ordered my assassination attempt
Andrievski
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. You are currently watching a special issue with Andrei Andrievski. Today, at this very moment, we will try to restore an informational bomb. I cannot say how big the impact will be, as it will solely depend on you, my dear viewers, but I believe it will fully depend on what we will hear today. This information will be shared with us by our star guest. But before, I wish to present him, our guest which came here from abroad. The person I speak of, has encountered dangerous international criminal groups, lost a big part of his property and this is not even the cherry on the cake, as he was even nearly take by death. But he managed to survive it all, and today, came to our studio. I present you businessman, Gherman Gorbunţov. Good evening, Mr. Gorbunţov!
Gorbunţov
Good evening!
Andrievski
I wish first ask you - you moved to the country, Renato Usatîi spoke of, controlled by a person, who, according to Usatîi, tried everything within his power to make sure you were gone. Were you not afraid to return here and possibly fall within his grasp? We speak of PDM's president, Vlad Plahotniuc.
Gorbunţov
I am sure it is not him. I am sure that all the files opened upon my name, were all made on order of Mr. Usatîi, in exchange for money. Yes, I am sure of this, today's Moldova does not need this. I have decided to reveal everything by myself. Therefore, I have boarded the plane and here I am.
Andrievski
You came here, nobody threatened you, had no issue arriving here, on television. So as I can see, it is not the case, some tried to compose.
Gorbunţov
No, but it was a difficult day. Yes, I was through many questions. I have went to all Prosecutor's Offices. I did everything I had to do, went to everyone who called me. Apparently, it will not end today, nor tomorrow. I have decided for myself that this story has to finish, one way or another. Criminals must face justice. While innocent finally released for this whole incident.
Andrievski
Perfect, we will speak on this matter a bit later. For now, I wish to present our second guest, who kindly agreed to participate in this conversation- this person, who has deep knowledge of this topic, along with Mr. Gorbunţov, because this person is an investigative journalist, a known blogger in Moldova, Veaceslav Balacci. Good evening, Mr. Balacci.
Balacci
Good evening!
Andrievski
I kindly request you to assist me in this discussion, and if you have any questions at all, as I am sure that you know more regarding the topic than I do, your questions being more fitting. I urge you to participate and ask them away, at this very moment, if possible.
Balacci
Thank you. First of all, for inviting me here. I am very happy to see you in Chisinau again, Mr. Gorbunţov. If we move from this tragic comedy, of the killers and their clients, setting our eyes on the main version regarding the events from March 2012, in London, which all investigative journalists were following, starting from 2013: The Guardian, OCCRP and the latest investigations made by our project, Zeppelin Investigation. Moreover, this version, which prosecutor's use till now: crime's organizer Ion Druţă, sent killer Proca to London, on Renato Usatîi's order, who was acting in the name of your former partners, from Russian Railways - this Ușerovici and Markelov. Has your opinion remained the same?
Gorbunţov
No, it has not changed. The fact that I am here now, proves it. I have decided: enough running away, enough hiding, I will come and put an end to this story today, tomorrow, as soon as possible. No matter what awaits me in the end. We will wait and see, what will happen.
Balacci
Then, you will continue to suspect that Renato Usatîi was the one who ordered your assassination?
Gorbunţov
I do not think this is a mere suspicion, I am sure of it. I have no legal power, I cannot condemn anyone, but I am sure that it was his command. Or should I say, Usatîi and his upper partners? Yes. Of course we can go around this topic for a long time, discuss Renato Usatîi's politics. All I can see is a simple criminal, killer, thief, one that wishes to play politics, yes and here we are, apparently those qualities do not mix well. As I believe that those two attributes - politics and crime- are not very compatible and Thank God for that. As I believe, he is a common phoney. I do not wish to speak badly of anyone, but there is nothing pleasant that I can think of, I am sorry.
Balacci
In the end, Mr. Gherman, why Renato Usatîi wished so much for your death, because it must be a real grudge, to do so much planning and spend so much time, just to eliminate one person. What history do you two have?
Gorbunţov
Usatîi and me have no history. I have met Usatîi for the first time here, in Moldova, when Userovici presented him, how to say it, to my colleagues and me, as a man, whose sole mission was to murder me. Therefore, there is nothing that we split between us. I can see such situations very plainly. Mr. Usatîi did his job in Moldova, except for one big mission: he never harmed me. Yes, he took the bank, which is bad. But those are money. But he never took my freedom, nor my life and I went to London. After which Renato became unemployed- because he didn't finish his mission. His task was not to steal, as he was very irresponsible, but to do something to me, to eliminate me. It made him think, I believe, when he came up with the genius plan to kill me, to stain his hands with blood, and use this blood to hug his partners, as I doubt that they will abandon him. It makes me believe that when he was ordering my murder, he did not bore any feeling for me, he simply wished to finish his job, to remain in business.
Balacci
Then, the client was actually following his own client's order. This is what you are trying to say?
Gorbunţov
No, I believe that the decision to shot me, was taken by Usatîi himself, because he saw it as the most favorable outcome.
Balacci
Well apparently they tried too hard.
Gorbunţov
Of course. He stained other people with blood, now, nobody will fire him, because they now have a common sin tying them. This is my opinion.
Andrievski
You mean that he will not be fired from that criminal group?
Gorbunţov
Well, they hired a person to commit a crime, yes. Either to put me in jail, or kill me. But I left to London, his hands could no reach me anymore. He could no longer imprison me, he could not do anything to me, he could no longer complete is task. Therefore, he didn't manage his mission. Making him useless.
Andrievski
Very well. Mr. Gorbunţov for us this is information, as we are looking at this from the sideway, but you felt it all on your own skin. It was about your life and, I am sure, you yourself are interested how the investigation is going. Share with us, viewers, the latest news and of course, in the limits of what you can tell us. What is happening in the investigation? At what stage has it reached, as it was your assassination attempt.
Gorbunţov
Well, at the moment Mr. Proca is in Romania, the investigators from Great Britain cannot reach him, due to a decision made by Russian court. London's police do not really share much of their work, which in a way, I believe is fair. Therefore, I cannot add anything else here.
Andrievski
Veaceslav!
Balacci
Yes, here is the question: Why, do you believe, last year, after our interview and after Moldova's prosecutors went to London, Proca woke up and started giving interviews, and Renato Usatîi? The story has suddenly appeared that Porca is corrupt, receiving money so that he will give some statements. In 2013, it is very interesting that Usatîi has used the same means through the crime's organizer Ion Druţă, wishing to frame another person, Russian businessman Alexandr Antonov, making it seem that it was him, who order the assassination. Here, I once again wish to understand - why would a proper person, who has nothing to hide, to pay a killer, for him to start speaking. Are all his plans collapsing or something?
Gorbunţov
You know the question and you already have the answer, it is necessary for all the views to be in the same direction. We need to change this opinion and get out of this situation, as everybody tries to hide from responsibility. I think Usatîi is in a very sharp situation now. Definitely, he is scared now. Usatîi, you are like a girl from facebook, you like to look good, you sing and you blame everybody. For example I decided to myself: I called my friend and said: "I am coming to Moldova, tomorrow and I would like to have a meeting with Plahotniuc." Everything ended on the idea that the version of Plahotnoiuc being a killer failed.
I have a proposal for you, Renat, can you come in Moldova too? Don't be afraid, I will apologize. Come as soon as you can and we will go to the Prosecutor's Office and find a solution in this case. The people you lied are waiting for you. You have run like a coward. It is just an invitation. Just come!
Andrievski
Gorbunţov, you have serious financial damages because of these guys. But, anyway, you are not poor at all and I found out you investigated this case too. You can afford good lawyers and prosecutors who can consult you on this topic. Do you have any arguments that Usatîi did that? Because Gorbunţov says he blames me. Can you argue your proofs? What do you think?
Gorbunţov
Being sincere, I don't have any attitudes. I mean the situation is really simple- I think Renato is just a simple, not interesting, petty rascal, who tries to tell everybody he is a star. He is a murderer and a robber. But, I am not sure. I don't have any attitudes on this topic. Yes, I made my own investigation and after it I decided to come in Moldova to finish all those deals.
Andrievski
Do you have any arguments, that you don't want to say out loud now? Or maybe, arguments that prove Renato did that?
Gorbunţov
Yes, I have some arguments that prove Renato did that.
Balacci
Many things have changed in the last time. Even the killer Proca recognized his guilt, he recognized that he is the assassin, through a very emotional message. In summer, Usatîi made a whole movie for you, which shows how the killer and the client sent after you. Do you have anything to reply on this subject?
Andrievski
Definitely, they will see your answer, because they will watch this talk show.
Gorbunţov
My answer is very simple. Proca just did his work twice. The fact that Proca came out for Usatîi talks about two things: the firs one- they are very close to each other and they still keep the contact and the second is that Proca's family received money. I don't even know what to reply them. I already said a lot to Renato. What else can I say to him? Dear Renat, stop acting like a girl. Stop acting like a 15 year old teenager and screaming dirty things about respected people and remind that you have people who voted for you, who trusted you, people who are alone now. Maybe the city is being stolen, actually no, the city is being stolen more than you are there. Come in Moldova to finish the troubles you made. Even if you will be imprisoned, you will get out of prison as being young, don't worry. Let's finish the troubles you created in the country where you say to people you love them.
Andrievski
Mr. Gorbunţov, I would like to know more about your meeting with the Modovan prosecutors, what are they interested in?
Gorbunţov
I gave indications on how did I appeared in the international search, I don't know how to say it. I don't know how it will end. Let it be. I give indication and I say only the truth.
Andrievskii
It is better for the truth to be discovered.
Gorbunţov
I came here for this. I stole and other stole from me. I didn't attack, I was attacked. I think we should end all this situation.
Andrievskii
Veaceslav, do you want to ask anything?
Balacci
Are you satisfied with the development of the investigation?
Gorbunţov
I don't see any rates. Maybe, the development rates in my advance, I see the people who made some searches and important discoveries in this case, people who at least understand this situation. I hope the truth will win.
Andrievskii
Even if I make political comments, the journalist investigations is now what I am doing, but we must talk about it, because when the politicians get involved in criminal stories and try to involve other people there, then it turns to a question of another level. It is not only about the attacked person, but about the security off all the country and its nation. I hope Moldovan prosecutors will find the guilty in this case. It doesn't matter where this person will be imprisoned, what matters is that the nation should look into the eyes of this person. I wish you good luck in this case and I hope it will end as soon as possible. We keep an eye on this case and if there will be any news we will come back to this topic. Goodbye.
Also read: Full evidence that Renato Usatii ordered Gherman Gorbunţov's assassination
- Fugitive Usatîi gave voice to Jurnal TV but refused reply to journalists' punchy questions
- Killer Vitalie Proca turns up his cards: It's simple to take down a politician
- Lawyers of fugitive Renato Usatîi remained speechless when asked how their client met killer Proca
- Our Party criticizes suspended Mayor Dorin Chirtoacă, while their own skeleton is falling out of closet
- Ion Druţă: Fugitive Renato Usatîi paid Vitalie Proca to make false statements
- Voronin and Usatîi wish referendum to return previous electoral system