Țuțu trial: defense contests evidence, prosecutors to deliver position on November 7
During a recent court hearing, the lawyers of former Democratic MP Constantin Țuțu reiterated their arguments concerning several inequities observed during the criminal investigation. They requested the termination of the criminal trial. The hearing took place once again without the presence of the defendant, who faces charges of influence peddling and illicit enrichment.
On Monday, prosecutors requested a 15-year prison sentence for Constantin Țuțu, along with the confiscation of over 3 million lei and 20,000 euros. Țuțu maintains his innocence, and the next hearing, where prosecutors will deliver their final arguments before the sentence is pronounced, is scheduled for November 7.
Lawyer Ion Negură said, "The accumulated evidence is clearly illegal, obtained abusively, and without respecting the right to defense or the right to a fair trial. We are addressing all of this evidence in the judicial debates, and we sincerely hope that the court will issue a legal decision regarding the case."
Prosecutor Elena Cazacov emphasized, "At the previous hearing, the prosecution presented arguments requesting a cumulative 15-year prison sentence for three counts: influence peddling, fraud, and illicit enrichment."
On July 22, Constantin Țuțu was detained at Athens airport along with Vladimir Plahotniuc based on an Interpol warrant. The two were allegedly attempting to flee to Dubai while carrying false documents and €155,000. Following searches conducted by the Greek authorities, 17 suspicious identity documents were seized. Initially, Țuțu was placed in custody in Greece, but he was later released under judicial control, with the condition that he remain on Greek territory.
In early autumn, authorities in Chișinău announced that Țuțu had illegally left Greece and was now in the Republic of Moldova. On October 2, 2025, he was detained at the Vulcănești border crossing point after allegedly attempting to bribe a Border Police officer.
