Former Moldovan officials detained over alleged duty-free excise scheme

Former Moldovan parliamentarian Vladimir Andronachi and ex-Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Viktor Osipov have been remanded in custody for 30 days pending investigation into allegations of criminal activity and abuse of office.

Authorities accuse the two of establishing and leading a criminal organisation that, between 2015 and 2019, allegedly exploited legislative loopholes to import excise goods duty-free, purportedly for the Transnistrian region, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Prosecutors say the scheme caused the Moldovan state losses exceeding 4 billion lei (approximately $216 million).

Andronachi, a former key figure within the circle of oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, is also implicated in a major money laundering case and has denied wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated.

Osipov, who oversaw the Democratic Party’s information policy and served as Deputy Prime Minister in 2009–2011 and 2015, also held the position of Moldova’s ambassador to Austria from 2015 to 2026.

The Moldovan prosecution has indicated that investigations into the alleged scheme are ongoing.

By Sabina Mammadli