Vladimir Andronachi and Victor Osipov in preventive detention for 30 days
Former Democratic MP Vladimir Andronachi and former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Victor Osipov, were placed in pretrial detention for 30 days.
Vladimir Andronachi is accused of creating and leading a criminal organization that implemented a scheme to smuggle excise goods into the country by exploiting the duty-free regime as a cover.
These actions are alleged to have occurred between 2015 and 2019, during which time Victor Osipov served as the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration. Osipov has been accused of abusing his office.
The estimated damage to the state budget amounts to four billion lei.
Vladimir Andronachi does not plead guilty to the charges.
Victor Osipov did not attend the court hearing on March 26. However, through his lawyer, he has denied all accusations against him.
A third suspect was also placed in custody and claims to be innocent.
