Fourteen judges and two court officers to stand trial in the case of money laundering of about 20 billion dollars case through the banking system in Moldova, coming from Russian Federation

The magistrates are accused of complicity in the money laundering case and delivery of decision contrary to the law that resulted in serious consequences. The defendants were detained by anticorruption prosecutors and NACC officers in a major operation, held in the fall of 2017.

A judge and a bailiff have been announced in international search since they hide from the prosecuting authority and a judge died.

They risk up to 10 years imprisonment with deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or to practice certain activities for up to 5 years.

The Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office announced about sending to trial the criminal case accusing 14 current and former judges and two bailiffs, accused of involvement in laundering billions of dollars from the Russian Federation through the banking system in Moldova.

Specifically, defendants are being held for complicity in the money laundering case and the deliberate rule of a decision contrary to the law, resulting in serious consequences.

According to materials of the prosecution, the accused were part of a criminal scheme that allowed money laundering through the banking system in Moldova, of about 20 billion dollars, coming from Russian Federation. Although the Russian investigations have lasted longer, further criminal prosecution of prosecutors allowed the accumulation of evidence demonstrating the involvement of the accused persons in the money laundering scheme and the initiation of new criminal cases.

The defendants were detained by anticorruption prosecutors and NACC officers in a major operation, held last autumn in Chisinau, but also in other cities. The action took place in a criminal case initiated as money laundering, and was carried out with the consent of Superior Council of Magistracy, which allowed criminal investigations, searches and their retention.

Preventive measures as custody, house arrest and release pending trial are applied regarding the defendants.

For these offenses, the law provides for up to 10 years imprisonment with deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or to practice certain activities for up to 5 years.

Publika.MD recalls that on September 20th, 2016, about 15 judges, including Turcan Iurie have been detained for involvement in the so-called "Russian laundry", on the money laundering of 20 billion dollars in Russia through the Moldovan judicial system.

The state budget has been stolen of over 900 million lei.