The minister’s brother, Lucian Fenechiu, received a similar sentence.
The decision is not final and may be appealed with the High Court of Justice’s panel of five judges.
Prosecutors indicted the minister in June 2012. He is accused of selling old and used transformers to SISEE Moldova, with the help of the firm’s former management.
Ioan Turbatu, general manager of SISEE Moldova between 2002 and 2004, and Ion Marghidan, general manager of the same company in 2004 – 2005, were sentenced to six years in prison for abuse of office. Petru Andronache, commercial manager of SISEE Moldova between 2002 and 2005 will serve seven years in prison.
Following the ruling, Fenechiu resigned from the position of minister and the Transport portfolio will be taken over by Prime Minister Victor Ponta in an interim capacity.
President Traian Basescu signed the decrees dismissing Fenechiu and appointing Ponta as interim Transport minister, the Presidency said in a press release later Friday.