LIST: Canada sanctions 15 people over suspected Russian interference in Moldova
Canada has implemented new sanctions against 15 Moldovan citizens and two entities due to their involvement in Russia's harmful interference activities in Moldova, particularly in relation to the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025. The individuals affected by these sanctions are connected to fugitive convict Ilan Shor.
The following individuals were sanctioned: Evghenia Guțul, the Bashkan of Gagauzia, who has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the illegal financing of the former "Șor" party; Victoria Furtună, the president of the "Moldova Mare" party; Irina Vlah, the president of the "Inima Moldovei" formation; and Alexei Lungu, the leader of the "Șansă" party.
The Canadian sanctions also target convicted deputies Alexandr Nesterovschi and Irina Lozovan. Two entities are also affected: the "Victory" Bloc, which was banned from participating in parliamentary elections on September 28, and the "Scutul Poporului" Association of People with Epaulettes.
As a result of these sanctions, the individuals and entities will be prohibited from conducting transactions in Canada or with Canadian citizens, and their assets will be frozen. They will also be barred from entering Canada.
According to the Canadian government, "The special economic measures regulations (Moldova) impose a trading ban (effectively, an asset freeze) on the listed individuals. Persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada will not be able to trade in any property of these individuals and entities or provide them with financial or related services. The individuals and entities listed in the annex are also prohibited from entering Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act."
List of individuals and entities sanctioned by Canada:
Evghenia Guțul
Mihail Vlah
Irina Vlah
Victoria Furtună
Irina Lozovan
Alexandr Nesterovschi
Iurii Cuznetov
Ilia Uzun
Victor Petrov
Nelli Parutenco
Natalia Parasca
Dumitru Chitoroagă
Dmitri Buimistru
Alexei Lungu
Veaceslav Valico
Chiril Guzun
Bloc „Victoria- Pobeda”
Association of People with Epaulettes „Scutul Poporului”
In June 2023, Canadian authorities imposed sanctions on nine individuals and one entity from the Republic of Moldova, citing their involvement in actions that destabilized the country. All the sanctioned individuals were connected to the oligarchs Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilan Shor.
In the same year, Canada also sanctioned six television stations that had their operating licenses revoked by the Commission for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Moldova.
Over the past decade, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 3,300 individuals and entities from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova for their roles in violating Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
