BUCHAREST, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Six professors from the Academy of Economic Studies (ASEM) in Moldova were detained on Tuesday for allegedly taking bribes from the students to promote them to the exams.
According to news reaching here from Moldova's capital city of Chisinau, the fraudulent scheme included around 60 teachers and other public persons from ASEM as well as several intermediaries outside the educational institution, to whom the National Anticorruption Centre (NAC) has suspicions that they would turn examinations into business.
The anticorruption officers raided at ASEM, in the offices of the suspects, at their homes, and at other members of the network on Tuesday. During the searches, there were found lists of students, large sums of money, and names of teachers who have got money for organizing the exams, practice and master's degree.
It was found that the group received 1,000 lei (59 U.S. dollars) for passing of one exam. The assessment for the practice cost from 1,000 to 1,500 lei (59-89 dollars), the most expensive -- from 470 to 650 dollars-- was the defense of the diploma master's thesis. As a result, students did not attend the exam, and their knowledge was assessed by fictitious professors.
Prosecutors have started several criminal cases for passive, active corruption and trafficking of influence. If they are found guilty, suspects may face up to seven years in prison.
