Moldova’s general consul in Istanbul will appear before judges on corruption charges. The honorific consult of Syria in Moldova and his brother will also stand trial, IPN has learned from the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Moldova’s general consult in Istanbul was arrested at the Chisinau International Airport on November 16, 2016, when he arrived from Turkey. It was established that in 2012 – 2016, the consult asked and received money and goods on the territory of Moldova’s consulate in Istanbul for hastening and simplifying consular services for seven persons from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. He is also accused of flagrantly violating the legislation when issuing documents for entering and staying in Moldova for citizens of Arab origin. In some of the cases, he ensured the immediate issuing of visas in the absence of the applicant at the consulate.
The honorific consult of Syria in Moldova is investigated in the same case. This, having influence on the Arab community in Moldova, redirected Syrian citizens to Moldova’s general consult in Istanbul through the agency of his brother. The consult issued long-stay visas for Moldova to them in exchange for payment.
Moldova’s general consul in Istanbul faces seven to 15 years in jail and a fine of 400,000 to 500,000 lei, with ban on holding public posts or performing particular activities for a period of ten to 15 years. The honorific consult of Syria in Moldova and his brother are liable to six to 12 years behind bars and a fine of 300,000 to 400,000 lei for active corruption.