Moldovan police conduct large-scale searches — Kremlin funds to disrupt the elections found
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Moldovan police have raided homes across the country belonging to leaders of a group linked to fugitive pro-Russian businessman Ilan Shor as part of a criminal investigation into election interference. Authorities have accused Shor and Russia of attempting to interfere in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 20 of this year.
This was reported by Reuters.
How the suspect could influence the next elections in Moldova
Police say tens of thousands of voters received money through Russian bank accounts to disrupt the vote. This effort was led by people from Russia.
Shor's Telegram account has been blocked in Moldova, and he is currently hiding in Russia.
The searches were part of an investigation into the creation and activities of a criminal organization involved in money laundering, vote buying, and illegal financing to influence the electoral process, according to the police.
During the searches, police discovered funds that they stated were intended to bribe voters, along with campaign literature.
Shor, who was convicted in absentia last year for his role in the embezzlement of $1 billion from Moldovan banks, offered in a post on his Telegram account last month to pay people who vote "no" in the referendum on Moldova's accession to the EU.
Incumbent President Maia Sandu is favored to win the election, with polls showing her well ahead of 10 other candidates. Polls also show that the majority of Moldovan support joining the EU.
As a reminder, an ideologue of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, Dmitry Chistilin, was arrested in Moldova during a special operation. He actively contributed to the seizure of Crimea and the occupation of Donbass.
It has also become known that a war criminal and Kremlin propagandist has been killed in Russia. We are talking about Alexander Korobov, nicknamed "Crab".
