(UPDATE 11.51) Sixteen people were detained, by this time, after searches made by Anti - Corruption Prosecutors (PA) and CNA officers. Among those detained are officials from the municipal directorates of education of all capital districts, and representatives of businesses. They were detained for 72 hours and were escorted to the CNA for hearing. We remind that, at 13.00, and CNA and PA will hold a press conference at which they will provide details of the criminal case and the results of the operation from this morning.

(UPDATE 10:27) Ten people were detained by this time in the searches that are carried out by Anti - Corruption Prosecutors and CNA officers inside the directorates of education of the five capital districts. The information was confirmed for Deschide.MD by the press officer of CNA - Angela Starinschi.

(UPDATE 09:30) The Mayor of Chisinau confirmed to Deschide.MD that prosecutors raided the five directorates of education in all districts of the capital. The mayor told us that the officials were warned more than once about the fact that if they admit violations of law they will be punished. Dorin Chirtoaca told us that the food issue has been addressed several years ago in the discussions from the City Hall.

(UPDATE 09:18) The Anti-Corruption Prosecutors and National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA) officers raided several public institutions, homes of the civil servants and more businessmen this morning.  By this time 5 people were detained, told us the press officer of CNA - Angela Starinschi. The operation continues...

"The Anti-Corruption Prosecutors and National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA) officers are conducting searches in several public institutions, homes of the civil servants from the education domain and more businessmen. These take place within a criminal case that is about arranging tenders related to providing food to schools and kindergartens in the capital. Investigators found not just rigging the public procurement process, but also the delivery of rotten food in educational institutions. Five people have been detained and will be brought at the CNA headquarters for hearings. This action continues and we will come back with more details in a briefing after completing all the searches", Angela Starinschi declared for Deschide.MD.

(Information 8:02) According to our sources, searches are targeting public tender rigging cases in the purchase of food, especially in terms of food purchased for children. Investigators discovered serious cases of rigged tenders, after which suppliers have delivered inclusively rotten food that was consumed later on by children in educational institutions. Stay tuned for details.