Moldovan National Party Urges Citizenship Revocation for Plahotniuc and Șor
The Moldovan National Party (PNM) requests President Maia Sandu to revoke the citizenship of former Democratic Party leader Vlad Plahotniuc and Ilan Șor, both convicted to 15 years in prison for bank fraud.
The party's leader, Dragoș Galbur, stated that this action will not impact the cases against the two individuals, particularly considering that national courts have convicted foreign citizens for similar offences. Dragoș Galbur stated, "Revoking the citizenship of Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilan Șor would safeguard Moldova's political landscape. We face crucial upcoming events, including a referendum, this year's presidential elections, and, most significantly, the 2025 parliamentary elections."
Adrian Băluțel, the Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Moldova, stated that they would review the request, and the decision would be publicly announced. Băluțel wrote, "According to Article 23 of the Citizenship Law of the Republic of Moldova, citizenship may be revoked by presidential decree for individuals who have committed grave acts causing substantial harm to the state, as proven in court. Furthermore, as Moldovan citizens, the aforementioned individuals must be legally accountable for crimes against the state and embezzlement, serving sentences in Moldovan prisons as per Moldovan legislation."
It is noteworthy that Ilan Șor fled Moldova in the summer of 2019, alongside former Democratic leader Vladimir Plahotniuc, following the loss of power by the Democratic Party of Moldova.
In December 2022, British authorities imposed sanctions on Vlad Plahotniuc and Ilan Șor, who were accused in the "Billion Theft" case.
Previously, both individuals were also listed in the United States sanctions, along with other parties involved in systemic corruption and electoral processes in Moldova, favouring Moscow.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
