Moldova: Fugitive ex-MP Constantin Tutu detained at Ukraine border
A former Democratic Party MP, Constantin Țuțu, has been detained at the Vulcănești border crossing point while entering Moldova from Ukraine.
The Moldovan Border Police confirmed the detention on Thursday evening, 2 October.
"Border police officers, acting on operational intelligence, identified and detained Mr Țuțu at the Vulcănești border crossing point at 19:50 local time, as he entered Moldova from Ukraine," the Border Police announced.
Border Police Chief Ruslan Galușca later told local television station Tv8 that Mr Țuțu had come to the border "voluntarily" and was "handed over to the competent authorities."
State prosecutors had also requested 30 days of preventative detention at the time, but the court rejected the request.
Mr Țuțu, who faces charges of illicit enrichment and influence peddling, was placed on a wanted list on 22 September following a request by prosecutors to the Chișinău Court, Buiucani seat.
The Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) has also opened a criminal case against him for illegal border crossing.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean previously said that intelligence suggested Mr Țuțu intended to travel to the breakaway Transnistria region to carry out "certain activities." The Prime Minister gave assurances that state institutions were investigating the case to determine the former MP's real intentions and any potential connections he might have.
On 22 September, Mr Țuțu was spotted on the terrace of a Tiraspol restaurant, and the authorities have not explained how he reached the Transnistrian region.
Mr Țuțu was previously detained at Athens airport on 22 July, alongside Vladimir Plahotniuc. Upon their detention, Greek authorities found over €150,000 and 17 false documents on Plahotniuc and Țuțu.
Mr Țuțu spent over a month in the Korydallos prison in Greece, being released at the beginning of September because the Republic of Moldova had not issued an extradition warrant for him. Although he had bought a ticket for a flight to Chișinău on 4 September, he ultimately did not arrive in Moldova by plane.
Transalation by Iurie Tataru
