Former Moldovan MP Constantin Țuțu in Transnistria, Prime Minister says
Former Moldovan MP Constantin Țuțu is not in the breakaway Transnistrian region, but the prime minister says he plans to go there to carry out "certain actions."
Prime Minister Dorin Recean's comments come after prosecutors announced on 16 September that Mr Țuțu had allegedly left Greece despite a travel ban and was already in the Transnistrian region.
"We have intelligence about Mr Țuțu's intention to go to the Transnistrian region and subsequently take certain actions," Mr Recean said. "This information is currently available, and state institutions are doing their job to identify his real intentions, as well as those who are backing him."
His lawyer, Ion Negura, has denied the accusations, saying the former MP remains in Greece where a pre-trial measure is in place to prohibit him from leaving the country.
A new hearing in the case in which Mr Țuțu is being investigated for illicit enrichment and influence peddling is due to take place on 22 September. Prosecutors have warned they will seek pre-trial detention and have him placed on the international wanted list if he fails to appear or provide official information about his whereabouts.
Former Democratic Party MP Constantin Țuțu was arrested on 22 July at the Athens airport, along with former democratic leader Vladimir Plahotniuc, following an Interpol Red Notice issued by the Russian Federation. The notice accuses them of involvement in an international drug trafficking network and membership in a criminal organisation. Greek authorities then confiscated over €150,000 and 17 fake documents.
After more than a month of pre-trial detention at Korydallos prison, Mr Țuțu was released in early September because the Republic of Moldova had not issued an extradition order for him. Although he had bought a ticket for a flight to Chișinău on 4 September, he never arrived in the Republic of Moldova.
On 15 September, the head of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, specified that Mr Țuțu is banned from leaving Greece but could have left the country by road to reach other Schengen countries.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
