Illegal financing networks with Russian ties found in Moldova
Members of local political party branches in Moldova linked to fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor are accused of receiving funds from undeclared sources to take part in protests linked to the country’s presidential elections due in October.
On Tuesday, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced that, together with officers from the National Investigation Inspectorate, it had conducted searches on Monday as part of an investigation into illegal party financing. Charges include illegal financing and money laundering by an organised crime group.
According to prosecutors, party members of Ilan Șor, a Moldovan oligarch with links to Moscow, held accounts in the Russian-sanctioned “Promsvyazbank”, which supports the Russian military in Ukraine.
The politicians allegedly received payments in roubles ranging from 10,000 to 155,000 roubles (€100 to €1,500), which were converted into foreign currency to finance party activities and election bribery.
Party leaders kept half of the money, while the rest was distributed to members to be withdrawn and converted into Moldovan lei.
In 2022, Ilan Șor admitted in a video that he financed political parties in Moldova and was ready to support any group that opposed the ruling party in Chişinău.
He fled Moldova in 2019 after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud and money laundering and now lives in Russia, where he has obtained citizenship.
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