Renato Usatyi was questioned in connection with the publication of wiretaps of telephone conversations between former Prime Minister Vlad Filat and businessman Ilan Shor. The lawyers for the leader of the “Our Party” said the prosecutors could demand that he should be placed under arrest for 30 days because he was already indicted, IPN reports.

According to lawyer Ana Ursachi, Usatyi’s arrest is not justified because the publication and dissemination of wiretaps, without proving the direct connection of the accused with these, is an offense. “We now do not know if these recordings are authentic. From legal viewpoint, the accusation against Usatyi is not justified. In the questioning report, Renato Usatyi indicated who and when transmitted the memory stick with the wiretaps to him,” she stated.

Renato Usatyi transmitted a message from the remand unit through the agency of the lawyer. “I ask myself why Ilan Shor is not held in the same cell with me. He made depositions against Filat and enjoys protection from the state. I assure you that the jail and isolation are the best protection for Shor. If the prosecutors seek my arrest, we will see if these are influenced by Plahotniuc or not.  If I get out, it will be funny. It will be very sad for them,” it is said in Usatyi’s letter, read by his lawyer.

The prosecutors charged Renato Usatyi based on Article 178 of the Penal Code, which defines the violation of the right to privacy of letters, telegrams, parcels and other postal packages, telephone conversations and telegraphic messages by illegally using special technical means to obtain information in secret.

Ana Ursachi said she disputed the way Usatyi was arrested. She announced she will demand that her client be set free unconditionally.

The politician was placed under arrest for 72 hours and is held at the remand unit of the National Anticorruption Center.