Constantin Țuțu case reaches Court of Appeal: prosecution seeks asset seizures and lengthy prison terms

The criminal case involving former MP Constantin Țuțu will be reviewed by the Central Court of Appeal after the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office challenged the sentence issued on 27 January 2026 by the Chișinău Court.

According to the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, the court’s decision is partially unfounded, particularly regarding the acquittal of Constantin Țuțu on the charge of illicit enrichment. Prosecutors argue that the evidence was assessed unilaterally, without being examined in conjunction with the other evidence in the case.

The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office also considers that the penalties imposed for fraud and influence peddling are too lenient and do not correspond to the gravity of the offences committed, failing to contribute to the restoration of social justice and the prevention of similar crimes.

Another contested aspect concerns the special confiscation, which was only partially admitted by the first-instance court, a decision the prosecution describes as unfounded.

On appeal, prosecutors request the partial quashing of the sentence and a retrial of the case, with the issuance of a new ruling by which Constantin Țuțu would be found guilty of committing the offences of illicit enrichment, fraud, and influence peddling.

Thus, the prosecution is seeking penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment, to be served in a closed-type penitentiary, as well as a ban on holding public office or positions of public dignity for a period of up to 15 years.

At the same time, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office requests the special confiscation of assets obtained from criminal activities, including the amount of 3,556,857.22 lei and 20,000 euros, or their equivalent in Moldovan lei, with their forced transfer into state ownership.

The Court of Appeal is to set the date for examining the appeal.