On Wednesday, Moldova’s Prime Minister announced that Russian agents allegedly invested approximately 200 million euros (around $217 million), nearly 1% of the country’s GDP, in attempts to influence votes during last year’s presidential election and EU referendum.
This statement coincided with Britain’s decision to impose sanctions on Evrazia, a pro-Russian NGO, which was accused of trying to manipulate the referendum in Moldova and undermine its democratic processes.
Moldova has consistently accused Moscow of interfering in its internal matters to maintain influence over the former Soviet republic and hinder its aspirations to join the European Union by 2030.
Moscow has refuted these claims and has criticized the Chisinau government.
Dorin Recean, the official making the announcement, stated at a briefing in Chisinau, “The Kremlin’s agents initiated a widespread vote-buying scheme, spending around 200 million euros—nearly 1% of Moldova’s GDP—to destabilize our nation.”
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Moldovan law enforcement has indicated that the voter bribery efforts were orchestrated by pro-Russian fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor and his associates, who deny any illegal activities.
The UK’s Foreign Office noted that the sanctioned Evrazia network was linked to Shor.
Moldova is set to conduct a parliamentary election this autumn, which will serve as a gauge of the pro-EU government’s popularity.
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