More than 30 searches were conducted on Tuesday evening, April 21 in Chisinau municipality, including in the offices of some employees of the Botanica Police Inspectorate. The head of the department and 5 other employees of the inspectorate were detained and placed in an isolation cell for 72 hours, suspected of passive and active corruption committed under aggravating circumstances.
In particular, the investigative actions concerned the facts of systematic extortion and receipt of money in amounts ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 USD, both in cash and in virtual currency – bribes were received from persons involved in drug use and trafficking.
Criticism and calls for resignation
Against this background, there are calls for the resignation of Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nikitin and the head of the General Inspectorate of Police Viorel Cherneutianu.
Opposition MP Alexandru Berlinschi made a video message, in which he said that the minister is not aware of what is happening in the institution. He refers to the statements made earlier by Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nikitin. She stated, not a single employee of the Interior Ministry, Customs Service and the National Anti-Corruption Center is involved in a criminal case on drug trafficking for the period 2020-2025.
“How can you fight the phenomenon when those who are supposed to fight it are covering it up themselves? It’s a serious thing. And, I think, in fact, this is only the tip of the iceberg…”, – commented former MP Olesya Stamate on the detention of six police officers.
Interior Ministry: “We act in accordance with the law”.
Misail-Nikitin did not comment on the demands for her resignation, but when asked by journalists about the expediency of Cherneutseanu’s resignation, she said: “I don’t think that with any incident it is necessary to demand the resignation of the head. We act in accordance with the law and the established procedures”.
The head of the Interior Ministry informed that the material evidence seized during the operative actions of the National Center for Combating Corruption was sent for examination. The minister also promised to provide the necessary clarifications after receiving the final conclusion of the expertise.
Cheban: They will look for a scapegoat”
The issue was not officially discussed at Wednesday’s government session, but, according to some reports, it provoked a tense reaction in political circles.
Chisinau Mayor General Ion Ceban accused the central authorities of lacking transparency and reaction after the searches and detentions of police officers: “No one said a word about this issue at this morning’s government meeting”. In his opinion, now “they will look for a scapegoat”.
The police strongly condemn…
The Inspectorate General of Police said it “strongly condemns any illegal acts committed by its officers and reiterates its policy of zero tolerance for corruption.”
“The institution will continue to cooperate with the competent authorities to prevent and combat such facts. The criminal investigation is ongoing, while possible disciplinary violations by those involved are also being considered,” the police said in a statement.
