A candidate from the Dondușeni district offered 500 lei each to be voted for mayor.

During the period from May 22 to May 28, 2024, in the context of the second round of local elections on June 2, 2024, the defendant, a candidate for the position of mayor, offered and gave sums of money (500 lei each) to several voters in order to persuade them to vote in his favor.

Other property measures: Collection of court costs: 2,100 lei for the preservation of material evidence in the case

First instance: Conviction
Appeal: Rejection of the appeal as unfounded and maintaining the judgment of the court of first instance without changes.
Cassation: The appeal was declared inadmissible

The decision under review concerns an accusation of electoral corruption under Article 181¹ of the Penal Code, charged against the defendant Filipaș Ruslan, in his capacity as an electoral competitor, consisting of offering and giving money to voters during the local elections (second round on June 2, 2024), with the aim of persuading them to vote in his favor. The case is structured into three distinct episodes, confirmed by witness statements, minutes of banknote seizures, and other corroborated evidence.

The appellate court fully upheld the findings of the court of first instance, noting that the evidence forms a coherent and sufficient body to demonstrate guilt beyond any reasonable doubt, rejecting arguments regarding alleged contradictions of the witnesses and the defendant's alibi. Furthermore, the court reiterated that the offense is completed by the mere offering or giving of money, regardless of actual acceptance or the outcome of the vote.

Particularly for this case is the fact that the courts ordered both the application of a monetary fine (50,000 lei) and the special confiscation of the amounts used in the criminal activity.