Eight properties worth over 9.6 million lei permanently seized for benefit of state

Eight real estate properties, valued at over 9.6 million lei, have been permanently forfeited to the benefit of the state following an investigation by the National Anticorruption Center (NAC) and the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office. The forfeited assets include construction land, residential houses, and an unfinished building.

The case concerns a former public official with responsibilities in the cadastre sector, who was convicted of abuse of office. According to the case materials, he allegedly used his position to facilitate the illegal alienation and registration of land owned by the municipality of Chișinău.

The offenses were allegedly committed between 2011 and 2022. Although the properties were officially registered in the names of proxy individuals, the investigation established that the former official was their actual beneficiary.

During the investigation, anticorruption officers documented the circumstances in which the properties had been acquired and registered. At the same time, the Asset Recovery Agency for Criminal Assets (ARBI) within the NAC conducted financial investigations to identify the assets and establish the links between the individuals involved.

The evidence gathered by investigators was presented in court and served as the basis for applying precautionary measures to the assets.

In a final ruling, the court ordered the special forfeiture of the eight real estate properties. The decision was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal, which confirmed the legality and validity of the measures ordered.

The enforcement title has already been submitted to the State Tax Service for the execution of the court ruling.

The NAC describes the outcome as a first in the recovery of criminal assets and emphasizes that identifying and recovering assets derived from criminal activity is a priority in the fight against corruption.

According to the institution, the financial investigations conducted by ARBI play an essential role in identifying illegally acquired assets and returning the confiscated property to the state.