Gagauzia governor detained by National Anti-Corruption Center over electoral fraud case

Gagauzia governor has been detained for 72 hours by the National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA) and prosecutors of Chisinau in a criminal case investigating the mismanagement of electoral funds, illegal financing and falsification of documents and statements related to 2023 election. The suspect is in CNA custody and in the coming hours, prosecutors are expected to charge her and submit the case to the court for preventive arrest.

CNA spokesperson Angela Starinschi said that the detention took place last night at Chisinau International Airport, in the same case in which the financial activities of a candidate in the 2023 elections are being investigated, also involved in the searches conducted by CNA in Orhei on the same day.

According to the criminal investigation data, the suspect allegedly instigated and organized, through the treasurer, the falsification of several documents, in which unauthentic data regarding cash donations made by individuals to the election candidate were entered. Under these conditions, the candidate's bank account was supplemented with funds from sources prohibited by law, amounting to 370,000 lei, which were later used to purchase goods and pay taxes and services related to the electoral campaign.

The governor is currently in CNA custody and in the next few hours, prosecutors will initiate the necessary procedures to request preventive arrest.