Police ask Chișinău mayor to block Șor protest
The National Police is asking Chișinău City Hall not to authorize a protest scheduled for August 16, which was announced by the convicted fugitive Ilan Șor.
The police claim that participants are being paid to attend, and the demonstration is part of a plan to destabilize the Republic of Moldova. Chișinău Mayor Ion Ceban has rejected the request, stating that the institution he leads does not have the authority to authorize political events. Meanwhile, the General Prosecutor's Office warns that offering or accepting compensation for participating in public gatherings is illegal and will be thoroughly investigated.
The National Investigation Inspectorate has labeled the protest, scheduled for Saturday, as an "illegal action that defies current legislation and public order regulations."
In a message to the mayor, law enforcement accuses Șor of organizing and financing the protest through "direct payments to participants."
"The action led by Șor represents a deliberate step in the sociopolitical destabilization of the Republic of Moldova and cannot be considered a peaceful protest, but rather an instrument of criminal influence. Any authorization of this protest will mean direct complicity in the illegal activities of the criminal organization led by Șor," the police appeal states.
The institution notes that "the responsibility for any negative consequences generated by the authorization of this event rests exclusively with the leadership of Chișinău City Hall" and trusts that the local authority "will respect the law and protect public order."
Ion Ceban disclaims responsibility
The mayor of Chișinău rejects the police's request, stating that the City Hall does not have the authority to authorize political demonstrations.
"The City Hall and the mayor have nothing to do with authorizing political events. (...) And the police, normally, should be concerned with decongesting traffic, catching criminals, maintaining order in residential courtyards, and ensuring all conditions are in place to counteract various illegal actions," Mayor Ion Ceban responded via a message on social media.
It is worth noting that, according to Law No. 26/2008 on Assemblies, a person intending to hold a meeting must notify the local public administration in writing, through a prior declaration, at least five days before the event. The declaration must include the organizer's details, the purpose, location, date, time, and duration of the meeting, the approximate number of participants, and any services requested from the local authority.
The public authority cannot arbitrarily refuse or permit a meeting, but can only intervene under conditions strictly provided by law. The prohibition or modification of the conditions of a meeting can only be done by a court order if there is conclusive evidence that it would violate the law, such as inciting hatred, violence, or undermining national security.
The responsibility for the proper conduct of the meeting lies primarily with the organizer, but the local authority and the police can intervene for safety and compliance with the law.
According to the portal intruniri.chisinau.md, a "picket" is registered for Saturday, August 16, with the declared purpose of "protesting against the abuse of power." The organizer is Mihail Vlah, who public sources indicate is an adviser to Evghenia Guțul, the governor (bașcan) of Gagauzia, who was sentenced in the first instance in the case of the financing of the former Șor Party. The request was registered on August 7, and the notification announces the participation of approximately 500 people.
The General Prosecutor's Office warns
The General Prosecutor's Office reminds that the freedom of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the Constitution, but draws attention to the fact that compensating protest participants is illegal.
"Offering or accepting material rewards for participating in protest actions constitutes a violation of current legislation and entails the liability provided by law. Citizens are urged to seek information from official sources and exercise discernment, avoiding involvement in activities that may be classified as illegal acts. The Prosecutor's Office will thoroughly investigate any situation where there are indications of corrupting participants in public gatherings," said the institution's spokesperson, Violina Moraru, for Teleradio-Moldova.
It is worth recalling that Saturday's protest was announced by Ilan Șor on social media, where he promised monthly sums of $3,000 to those who would demonstrate "nonstop" against the government in the Great National Assembly Square.
Protests announced by Șor Are Part of Moscow's Strategy to destabilize the Republic of Moldova
In recent months, Moldovan authorities have repeatedly warned that the Russian Federation is preparing unprecedented interference in the parliamentary elections on September 28, 2025, with the aim of derailing the country's European course and installing a pro-Kremlin government. According to President Maia Sandu, Moscow's strategy includes illegal financing estimated at about 100 million euros from cryptocurrencies alone, massive disinformation on social media (especially Telegram), paid protests, cyberattacks, the involvement of organized crime, and the use of the church to radicalize the population.
In this context, the convicted fugitive Ilan Șor – considered one of the main vectors of Russian influence – is allegedly involved in electoral corruption schemes, including through the "Taito" app and through cash or cryptocurrency payments.
"Taito" is a digital trap used for electoral corruption and data theft: sanctions announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In recent years, Ilan Șor and his group have organized long-term protests in the center of Chișinău, which authorities have said were paid to create pressure on state institutions. Șor also created the "Pobeda" political bloc in Moscow, which the Moldovan intelligence service and the General Prosecutor's Office consider an attempt to consolidate pro-Russian forces and undermine democratic elections in Moldova.
Ilan Șor was definitively sentenced in the Republic of Moldova in the bank fraud case. Although he must serve a 15-year prison sentence, he is currently free in Moscow.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
