MP Vasile Colta has been expelled from the Moldova Noastra Alliance and the MNA parliamentary faction, Alliance leader Serafim Urechean announced at a news conference held on Monday night.
He explained the MNA Political Bureau had voted for that decision because Colta had inflicted damage to the Alliance’s public and political image. Urechean called upon Colta to resign as a member of parliament.
Last week, Vasile Colta was detained by Romanian customs officers at an attempt to smuggle across the border a big consignment of contraband cigarettes – 11 thousand packs worth some 7 thousand euros. The cigarettes were confiscated and the Moldovan parliamentarian was fined 14.4 thousand lei (nearly €850)
Colta had been Mayor of Huncesti town until 2005, when he was elected to parliament on the MNA ticket. However, already the same year he was deprived of his parliamentary immunity. Presently, as many as 5 legal actions have been initiated against him on charges of abusing office and particular grave thefts when mayor, and of involvement in a heavy car crash last summer.
On Monday, Vasile Colta made a statement for the press saying he is quitting the Moldova Noastra Alliance and the MNA faction. He voiced regret concerning the "incident" that had happened at the Albita/Leuseni customs station last week, "which was not a premeditated action from my part, and it did not pursue any mercenary ends". However, Colta did not say he was resigning as a parliament deputy. // Infotag
