The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (PA) announces the completion of the criminal prosecution and the referral to court for examination of the merits of the criminal case against a deputy in the Autonomous Territorial Unit (ATU) of Gagauzia who is accused of committing the crime of influence peddling.

The criminal prosecution was initiated in March 2023 by the National Anti-Corruption Centre (CNA) on the basis of a complaint. According to information published on the court portal, the case was initiated in the name of Demian Caraseni, former deputy chairman of the People’s Assembly of ATU Gagauzia.

“According to the materials, the accused, between October 2019 and August 2021, demanded and received in three installments from the complainant, money in the total amount of 12,000 euros, claiming that through other persons he has influence over the judge of the Chisinau Court, Center seat, who was examining the civil case in which the complainant was a defendant. However, the civil case was not resolved in favour of the complainant.

The defendant did not admit his guilt, and the criminal case was sent to the Buiucani Court of Chisinau for examination on the merits,” a statement from thePAP said.

If found guilty of committing the crime, the defendant faces a fine of 150,000 to 200,000 lei or imprisonment of 2 to 7 years.

A person accused of committing a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.

According to moldovacurata.md, Caraseni is a teacher by profession, but for most of his career he has been involved in politics and held positions in state institutions. He practiced wrestling, is a master of sport and holds the title of coach emeritus. Demian Caraseni served two terms as mayor of his home village of Congaz in the Gagauz autonomy, having been elected in 2003 and 2007. He was a member of the Communist Party. In 2007 he was awarded the Civic Merit Order by the then President of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin. In 2008 he became a deputy in the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia on the Communist list and was elected deputy chairman of the PA. Previously he was a member of the Democratic Party of Moldova.