6. ASYLUM AND STATLESS STATUS APPLICATION IN PUBLIC CUSTODY The foreigner placed in public custody can submit an asylum application under the conditions of Law 270/2008 on asylum in the Republic of Moldova. Article 52 of that law indicates, among other authorities competent to receive asylum applications, the structural subdivisions of the BMA. Recall that TPCF is one of the structural subdivisions of the BMA. The request received by TPCF is submitted to AID of the BMA for substantive examination. 6.1. Asylum applications filed in public custody Aliens placed in public custody can apply for asylum. The application is to be registered by the TPCF, which is then forwarded to the AID of the BMA. From the moment of application, the person obtains the status of asylum seeker. Thus, from this moment, Law no. 270-XVI of 18.12.2008 on asylum in the Republic of Moldova, which provides at:  para.2 art.9: "Asylum seekers will not be sanctioned for illegal entry and stay on the territory of the Republic of Moldova."  para. (1) art.11: "No asylum seeker shall be expelled or returned from the border or from the territory of the Republic of Moldova." 53