Political

Criminal investigation targets Șor Party's territorial presidents

The presidents of the Rezina and Criuleni territorial organizations of the former Șor Party are accused of complicity in the party’s illegal financing. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has announced the completion of the criminal investigation and the submission of the case to court.

Between July and October 2022, they are alleged to have coordinated the organization’s activities, knowing that the party was funded by an organized criminal group. Acting in concert with the party leadership—including vice presidents, the treasurer, and couriers responsible for transporting funds—they facilitated the acceptance of illicit financing by providing instructions, information, and resources to support the party’s operations.

The president of the Rezina territorial organization is alleged to have accepted approximately 2 million lei (~€110,000), while the president of the Criuleni territorial organization is alleged to have accepted around 3 million lei (~€160,000). The funds were used to finance the party’s operations with the objective of advancing its political interests and securing power through unlawful means. As part of the criminal investigation, three vehicles and two agricultural plots were placed under seizure.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the criminal cases have been forwarded for trial at the Chișinău Court, Buiucani branch. If convicted, they face fines between 57,500 (~€3,000) and 92,500 lei (~€5,000) or imprisonment from two to seven years, in both cases with an additional penalty of disqualification from holding public office or engaging in specific professional activities for a period of two to five years.

In 2024, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had also submitted similar cases for trial, implicating additional presidents of territorial organizations. Notably, representatives of institutions tasked with combating electoral fraud, as reported during the presidential elections and the national referendum, testified before Parliament on December 12.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Rodica Mazur

Rodica Mazur

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