Eighteen NGOs in the Republic of Moldova request the initiation of an international investigation into the theft from the Moldovan banking system. In the appeal made public on Tuesday, August 9, representatives of the civil society come up with evidence to back up this idea.

Civil society organizations express their deep concern regarding the investigation into the billion-dollar banking system fraud in the Republic of Moldova. „The leaders that closed their eyes to the fraud and money laundering schemes were neither suspended from their functions, which violate the procedure of a fair investigation, nor were declared responsible. Moreover, they were promoted in their roles, some were awarded medals, or “appreciated for excellent professionalism”. The international audit contract with the corporate investigations and risk consulting firm Kroll was signed in a situation of conflict of interest on the part of the head of the National Bank of Moldova, who had direct responsibility for preventing fraud situations and was not interested in an objective investigation of the violations. Numerous people with knowledge of some details of the fraud in the banking system were threatened, disappeared or died under suspicious circumstances, therefore, the risk of undue influence still exists in the decision-making process ", say representatives of the civil society.

„Given the fact that this international money laundering scheme took place across several countries, with the involvement of American and EU citizens, this could affect the stability of the currencies involved in these illegal transaction and put small and medium-sized economies in the region at considerable financial risk. With Moldovan authorities potentially involved in the billion-dollar heist, any national investigation would be tainted real or perceived. Against this backdrop, we request a formal international investigation with the involvement of the United States, European Union, Interpol, Europol, OLAF and other relevant agencies”, writes the appeal.

Civil society has previously requested the initiation of an international investigation into the billion-dollar banking system fraud.

According to former employee of Banca Sociala Sergiu Sagaidac, law institutions in the US have already initiated an investigation into this case, and the names of the first suspects might be made public soon. Contacted by the portal Anticoruptie.md, the US Justice Department has neither confirmed nor denied the information.