Valeriu Pasat (file photo) (epa) July 9, 2007 -- An appeals court today freed former Moldovan Defense Minister Valeriu Pasat, overturning his conviction for abusing his position in the sale of 21 fighter planes to the United States.
Pasat was convicted in January 2006 and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Pasat, who was defense minister from 1997 to 1999, was accused of selling the MiG-29 planes for $40 million when the country could have received more money from Iran, which had offered to pay the poor former Soviet republic $90 million.
(AFP, AP)
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
