Three intermediaries have been detained by the NAC and anti-corruption prosecutors in a complex dossier initiated on claiming and receiving bribes for issuing anti-Covid vaccination certificates. The criminal case, initiated for influence peddling, comprises tens of episodes that were started on the operative information that led to identification of the entire corruption scheme.

As a result of the operative actions, it was found out that three intermediaries, together with some employees of public medical institutions from Moldova, would have organized the issuance of anti-COVID-19 vaccination certificates without immunization and with the introduction of data in a register of record of vaccination certificates.

In fact, the intermediaries were finding in their circles people willing to be vaccinated, whom they were directing to medical employees. The latter were miming the immunization by destroying the anti-COVID-19 vaccines.

The investigation has shown that they were claiming between 4,000 and 6,000 lei for a certificate, money that that was distributed in accordance with the role of every participant of the criminal scheme.

To fortify the probation, the anti-corruption officers carried out searches at three medical institutions, where a number of documents were seized, at suspects’ homes, where original vaccination certificates were found and seized, stamped and signed by doctors, as well as original identity cards and cash, whose origin is to be identified. Four beneficiaries of counterfeit vaccination certificates were also searched.

Currently, a number of people have also drawn the attention of the NAC, including medical employees, while the three intermediaries were detained and will be placed in the NAC Detention Center. They are under investigation for influence peddling and risk up to 7 years of imprisonment or fine of up to 200,000 lei.

We remind, that every person is presumed to be innocent until the final and irrevocable decision of the court is pronounced.

The Anticorruption Prosecution Office is conducting the criminal investigation, and the investigation actions are under development.