Vladimir Rusu, the founder of the company Caravita, has been put under house arrest after the Buiucani Court decided to change the preventive measure as new details surfaced in the case.

After the Court of Appeals yesterday upheld the arrest warrants against the four suspects in the case, Vladimir Rusu requested to speak to the prosecutor to give additional testimony. He claimed that he held the position of founder only nominally, and his role was limited to signing papers authorizing others to conduct Caravita's affairs.

Further, Caravita executive Ion Rusu, Vladimir's father, admitted to be personally responsible for some transactions believed to be fraudulent. Considering all these circumstances, the investigative judge decided Vladimir Rusu can be put under house arrest.

In July, four Caravita top figures were arrested on the charge of operating a money laundering scheme that caused damages in exceptionally large amounts to Banca de Economii. Last week, the Buiucani Sector Court extended by 30 days the arrest warrants against the Caravita owner Ion Rusu and the managers Vladimir Rusu and Igor Cijov. The arrest of Caravita financial manager Tatiana Rosioru was extended by 25 days.

The suspects face up to 10 years in prison.