Moldova accuses Russia of planning to interfere in elections and sabotage EU integration

2024-03-06 10:14:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Moldova accuses Russia of planning to interfere in elections and sabotage EU

The head of Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) warned that Russia is planning new actions to destabilize the country, as Moldova prepares for parliamentary and presidential elections and a referendum on European Union integration.

Alexandru Musteata said during a press conference in Chisinau that the SIS has "some information" regarding planned actions this year and next year that would compromise Moldova's EU membership and return the country to the sphere of the influence of Russia.

"The details of the strategies for 2024 and 2025 include the support of pro-Russian political actors, who are connected to the intelligence services, organized crime groups and the leadership in the Kremlin," said Musteata.

The most important actor in carrying out destabilizing actions would be the group led by oligarch Ilan Shor, Musteata said.

Shor, who leads the Moscow-backed Shor party, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison last year on fraud and money laundering charges related to the disappearance of $1 billion from Moldovan banks. The Shor party has been declared illegal, while Shor himself has left for Israel.

Shor and his party have also been sanctioned by the EU, the United States and Canada on suspicion of trying to destabilize the situation in the Republic of Moldova and acting in Russia's interests.

"We predict that efforts will be made to incite some social and political crises, to incite clashes and inter-ethnic tensions that would lead to security crises in the Gagauz region or in Transnistria," said Musteata.

The semi-autonomous region of Gagauzia is inhabited mainly by Gagauzian Turks, who speak Russian and have adopted Russian Orthodox Christianity.

Under pro-Western President Maia Sandu, who came to power after defeating Russia-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in 2020, Moldova took a clear European path as it strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, Chisinau received an invitation to open negotiations with the EU and is expected to hold a nationwide referendum on membership of the 27-member European bloc this year.

Presidential and parliamentary elections are also set to be held later this year, and Sandu plans to run for a second term. Her party, PAS, has won over 40 percent of the votes in the local elections and polls put it first in the parliamentary elections./ REL