A former Justice Ministry official has been detained by National Anti-Corruption Centre (CNA) officers and prosecutors from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (PA) in an influence-peddling case. According to the CNA, he allegedly demanded €10,000 from a man to help him obtain the certificate of authorised administrator, claiming to have influence over members of the specialised commission of the Union of Authorised Administrators.

“According to the complainant, the suspect allegedly demanded €10,000 from him and received €6,000 in exchange for influencing members of the Authorisation and Disciplinary Commission, which is responsible for organising the qualification examination for authorised administrators. He allegedly promised that he could convince the examiners to give him the highest mark, but he did not honour his promise,” the CNA statement said.

A criminal case was opened on the basis of the complaint and investigations were carried out to prove the fact of influence peddling. On the morning of Tuesday 23 August, searches were carried out at the suspect’s home and at the office of the head of the Union of Authorised Administrators. One of the persons concerned was detained for 72 hours.

As a reminder, all persons are presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is rendered. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is conducting the criminal prosecution in this case, according to the CNA.