Prosecutors Seek Up to Six Years’ Imprisonment for Leancă and Lazăr in Airport Concession Case

Prosecutors have called for prison sentences for all eight defendants in the case over the concession of Chisinau International Airport. Among them are former Prime Minister Iurie Leancă and former Economy Minister Valeriu Lazăr. Prosecutors have sought sentences of up to six years in prison, a five-year ban on holding public office, and compensation for damages totalling more than 392 million lei, reports protv.md. For Iurie Leancă and Valeriu Lazăr, the prosecutor has sought six years in a semi-open prison. The same sentence has been sought for Tudor Copaci, Angela Susanu, Petru Jardan and Alexandru Ciutac. For Maria Sendila and Alla Tubari, prosecutors have sought five years in a women’s prison. The prosecutor has also called for all defendants to be barred from holding public office for five years. The prosecution is also seeking the immediate remand of all eight defendants in custody after the verdict is handed down, with them to remain in custody until the decision becomes final, including after any appeals before the Supreme Court of Justice. The case over the concession of Chisinau International Airport was referred to court in 2023. Eight former officials and public servants are implicated in the case. The defendants include former Prime Minister Iurie Leancă, former Economy Minister Valeriu Lazăr, former Director of the Public Property Agency Tudor Copaci, former Deputy Director of the Public Property Agency Angela Susanu, as well as several former airport and Public Property Agency employees. According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly awarded the concession for Chisinau International Airport in 2013 in the interests of a criminal organisation. The prosecution also alleges that Iurie Leancă, Valeriu Lazăr, Tudor Copaci and Petru Jardan reduced the share of profits due to be paid to the state budget following the transfer of the airport under a concession agreement from 8% to 1%. According to the prosecution, the tender was a sham, resulting in financial losses for the state. The defendants deny the charges. Chisinau International Airport reverted to state ownership in March 2023 following a ruling by the Court of Appeal. Before this, the concessionaire, Avia Invest, controlled by Ilan Sor, had been accused of failing to make the promised investments in the airport’s development.