The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (PA) has neither confirmed nor denied whether PAS lawmaker Radu Marian is listed as a suspect or involved in a criminal case concerning alleged abuse of office at state-owned air navigation company MoldATSA.
In a response to Realitatea.md, the PA said that it is handling a criminal case initiated by the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) over “reasonable suspicions” of aggravated abuse of office at MoldATSA. Prosecutors cited the ongoing investigation and legal restrictions as the reason they could not provide additional details.
“Given that the criminal investigation is ongoing, in accordance with Article 212 of the Criminal Procedure Code, no further information can be provided at this stage,” the PA said.
Marian told Realitatea.md that he had not been summoned by prosecutors and denied any involvement in the company’s daily operations.
“I was not cited. I had no involvement in the day-to-day activity of the company,” Radu Marian said.
The case follows allegations raised after an investigation by Ziarul de Garda on June 18 reported that MoldATSA director Dumitru Vangheli had allegedly falsified information in his CV. Vangheli was later dismissed from his position.
Marian previously acknowledged that he knew Vangheli before his appointment and had recommended him for the position, saying he was aware of his aviation background. The PAS deputy later explained that they had grown up in the same courtyard but were not friends, only acquaintances.
The controversy also led Marian to resign on June 29 as chairman of the Parliament’s Economy, Budget and Finance Committee.
The appointment of Vangheli has prompted calls from several political figures for an investigation into Marian’s possible role in the decision-making process, including former MP Alexandr Slusari and Change Party leader Stefan Gligor.
Earlier, National Moldovan Party leader Dragoș Galbur filed a complaint with the Prosecutor General’s Office against Marian, alleging possible influence over officials involved in appointing Vangheli as head of MoldATSA.