The Anti-corruption Prosecution Office provides updates in criminal cases involving illegal campaign financing

The will of the people is the basis of state power. This will is expressed through free elections, which take place periodically by universal, equal, direct, secret and freely expressed votes. Elections are the foundation of all democratic processes that take place in a state governed by the rule of law.

In the criminal cases managed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office on this subject, at issue is not only the respect of the criminal law being, but also the interests of the most important actors of our democracy – the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Multiple defendants have been accused of accepting illegal financing of a political party from an organized criminal group, which is supported by a foreign state – the Russian Federation. These actions not only undermine the sovereignty of our country, but also diminish the trust of citizens in the electoral process and in state institutions.

The financing of political parties and electoral campaigns must be a transparent process, reflecting the will of the people. Citizens must know that the politicians they elect are accountable to them, not to criminal groups or foreign powers. When money is accepted from illegal sources, this process becomes corrupt. And when this illegal financing comes from a criminal group, led by a person convicted of very serious crimes, this only further undermines citizens' trust in the electoral and political system.

The acceptance of illegal financing of political parties does not only affect politicians or state institutions, but directly affects the daily lives of ordinary citizens. When politicians are led and influenced by criminal groups or external interests, the decisions they make no longer reflect the needs and desires of citizens, but the interests of those who illegally finance them. Thus, politics becomes an instrument of manipulation, and ordinary people, who work hard to earn a living, risk being left aside and no longer having authentic representation in state bodies.

The Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office has adopted a firm position to protect the interests of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Every person who places their hopes in the democratic process must know that their voice counts, that the politicians they elect are accountable to them, and not to criminal groups or foreign powers.

In the criminal cases handled by the Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office, the indicted defendants include actual Member of Parliament Marina Tauber, actual Member of Parliament Alexandr Nesterovschi, actual Member of Parliament Irina Lozovan, the governor of the Gagauz Autonomous Region Evghenia Guțul, a district councilor, 15 Presidents of Territorial Offices of the former Shor Political Party and others.

Being aware of the fundamental rights of citizens, who elected and entrusted the defendants with their public positions, the defendants acted to the detriment of the law, pursuing personal and group advantages through their actions of accepting funding for political parties from an organized criminal group led by the convicted Ilan Shor, in turn supported by a foreign state - the Russian Federation.

Two criminal cases have already reached the final stage of deliberations, after all witnesses were heard and all evidence examined in public hearings. The criminal cases were based on witness statements, wiretaps, video recordings and other evidence, highlighting the organized and systematic nature of the illegal financing.

From the evidence examined in public hearings in these criminal cases, it is clear that the organized criminal group, led by Ilan Shor, aimed to support several political parties in the Republic of Moldova, some openly and others from the shadows, including some political projects that appear to be pro-European. Direct audio interceptions of Ilan Shor and statements of witnesses who met with him directly, including Ms. Arina Spataru, demonstrated that Ilan Shor’s goal is to get compromised politicians into Parliament, so that they can act in his interest, so that he can resolve his personal problems with the Moldovan justice system – his final sentence of 15 years in prison and an obligation to pay over 260 million euros in the interest of the citizens of Moldova. All the illegal activity was aimed specifically at the 2025 parliamentary elections.

These criminal cases and the evidence presented by the Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office highlight the impact of foreign influence on Moldova’s electoral integrity and democratic stability. Accepting illegal funding supported by a foreign power poses a direct threat to Moldova’s sovereignty, allowing external forces to dictate domestic political decisions. The criminal cases highlight a pattern of Russian interference aimed at controlling the Moldovan political scene, particularly ahead of key elections.

If such external interventions are not brought to the surface and stopped, Moldova (and other countries) risk weakening its European integration and strengthening Russia's influence over domestic affairs.

The Anticorruption Prosecution Office will continue to represent the prosecution in these high-profile criminal cases. And, if it is not liquidated in the coming weeks, it is the prosecutors and officers of the Anticorruption Prosecution Office, with their training and experience, who will continue to combat this phenomenon in this important election year.

Note: A person accused of committing a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.

Contact 
Press Service | Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office 
presaPA@procuratura.md