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Moldovan Oppositionist Accused Of Smuggling Cigarettes


CHISINAU (RFE/RL) -- Prosecutors in the Moldovan capital say they are investigating Vladimir Filat, leader of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party, for smuggling.

RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports that the prosecution claims Filat and several others smuggled some 2 million packs of cigarettes into Romania in 1998.

Filat, who once served as director of Moldova's privatization agency, denies any wrongdoing.

Cigarette smuggling is common along Moldova’s western border with EU member Romania, where cigarettes are substantially more expensive.

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