Moldova airport concession case: Leancă and Lazăr plead not guilty

In the legal case regarding the concession of Chisinau International Airport, former Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leancă and former Economy Minister Valeriu Lazăr have delivered their final statements, pleading not guilty and requesting acquittal. Prosecutors have requested six-year prison sentences for Leancă, Lazăr, and several other defendants, including former Economy Minister Tudor Copaci and former head of the Public Property Agency Petru Jardan.

The prosecution alleges that the 2013 concession of the airport to the company Avia Invest was conducted in the interest of a criminal organization and under conditions unfavorable to the state, resulting in reduced revenue for the national budget. Leancă has characterized the charges as fabricated, though he acknowledged personal acquaintance with Ilan Șor and having used Șor's personal vehicle and private aircraft while in office.

A verdict in the case is scheduled to be announced on November 30, 2026. Other defendants face requested sentences ranging from five to six years, with potential prison terms for the group ranging from four to eight years, alongside bans on holding certain positions for 10 to 15 years.