Moldovan prosecutors seek prison terms for former PM in airport concession case

Prosecutors in Moldova have requested prison sentences for eight individuals involved in the 2013 concession of Chișinău International Airport. The requests, made during judicial debates at the Chișinău Court, include six years of imprisonment for former Prime Minister Iurie Leancă and former Economy Minister Valeriu Lazăr.

Other defendants facing similar six-year sentences include former Director General of the Public Property Agency Tudor Copaci, former deputy director Angela Susanu, former interim airport director Petru Jardan, and former financial director Alexandru Ciutac. Maria Șendilă and Alla Țubari have been requested to serve five years. Prosecutors are also seeking a five-year ban on holding public office for all defendants.

The Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office alleges the concession was orchestrated to benefit a criminal organization, resulting in a loss of over 392 million lei to the state. Specifically, prosecutors claim the profit share intended for the state budget was reduced from 8% to 1% and that the competitive bidding process was merely a formality. The defendants have not admitted guilt.