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BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Moldovan anti-corruption prosecutors say the mayor of Chisinau has been detained on suspicion of influence trafficking in a city parking contract.
The National Anti-Corruption Center alleges that Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca told his deputy to sign a contract with Austrian company EME Parkleitsystem GmbH. Chirtoaca was detained Friday and will be held for 72 hours. He has not commented.
Chirtoaca suspended the contract with the company this month. The company has not commented.
The anti-corruption center said the company won contracts due to "concerted actions" from city hall officials.
It said a public transport official set up an offshore contract in Cyprus and then became a shareholder in EME Parkleitsystem, owning a 26 percent stake which was split between the official and the mayor.
Seven other officials recently were detained in the case, including the city's two deputy mayors.
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