Moldovan authorities have confiscated over $1 million from a new Moscow-backed political grouping in the country, labeling the funds as “illegal political financing.” On Tuesday, approximately 150 Moldovans, predominantly at the Chisinau airport, had more than 20 million Moldovan lei (around $1 million) seized from their possession. According to police, the money was part of a “scheme of illegal financing of political parties from dark sources.” Leaders of the “Victory” group alleged harassment and deliberate delays at the airport upon their return to Moldova from Moscow on Tuesday. Russian troops maintain a presence in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria, and the country borders Ukraine. Prior to 1991, it was part of the Soviet Union. Throughout the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, tensions between Russia and Moldova have intensified. In February 2023, Moldovan President Maia Sandu accused Russia of attempting to overthrow her government with the aid of individuals posing as anti-government protesters and prevent her country from joining the European Union. During a meeting in Moscow over the weekend, Ilan Shor, a U.S.-sanctioned fugitive oligarch, declared the formation of “Victory.” The group opposes President Sandu’s EU accession plans. Earlier, Shor expressed his belief that EU membership would be “destructive for our citizens and for the country,” according to Moldovan news outlet Newsmaker.md. “Our goal is to demonstrate to people viable alternatives that have proven successful over time,” he stated. In its recent analysis of the conflict in Ukraine on Tuesday, the U.S.-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggested that opposition politicians in Moldova intended to use the seized funds “to bribe protestors and voters.” “ISW previously assessed that the creation of the Victory electoral bloc would allow the Kremlin to focus on a unified political effort as part of its efforts to destabilize Moldovan society, attack Moldova’s democratic government, and prevent Moldova’s accession to the EU,” the think tank stated. President Sandu, who has consistently advocated for Moldova’s EU membership, stated last July that she would seek assistance from Romania, a member of the EU, if Moscow ever attempted to invade her country. “We are concerned. We consider the worst-case scenarios,” she said. “As a result, we are preparing for all possible scenarios. Of course, if Russia attempts to attack the Republic of Moldova, we will seek assistance.” Newsweek has contacted Russia’s foreign ministry for comment via email. Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the pursuit of common ground.
Moldovan Authorities Seize $1 Million from Kremlin-Backed Political Group
