The head of Moldova’s National Anti-Corruption Centre (NAC) has poured cold water on the prospects of an EU-linked money laundering probe.
Speaking to media in Chisinau on Monday (25 March), Viorel Chetraru, confirmed that “stolen” Russian money went through Moldova’s top lender, the Banca de Economii.
“Over 30 banking structures in various countries transferred via Moldova about 4 percent of all the money coming from Russia. All these funds were transferred to offshores, mainly Cyprus,” he noted.
He said “all the other countries” involved in the case have decided not to pursue criminal charges, however.
He added that he cannot proceed without co-operation from Russia.
“You have to prove the origin of the money … In the case of Moldova, the criminal charges were brought on the basis of money-theft from Russia, but unfortunately Russia did not respond to our repeated requests [for information],” he said.
He also said the whole affair is linked to US-Russian machinations on energy security.
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