Moldova is ramping up efforts to combat alleged Russian interference in its upcoming presidential election and EU referendum, as authorities uncover extensive cash-for-votes schemes. With both votes scheduled for Sunday, the country finds itself at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war between East and West.
At Chisinau Airport, sniffer dogs like Ami, a black retriever, have been working overtime to detect large sums of cash entering the country. Customs chief Ruslan Alexandrov reports a surge in passengers arriving with suspiciously large amounts of money, particularly on flights connecting through Moscow. In one day alone, authorities seized $1.5 million in cash.
Prosecutors believe these cash mules are part of a major operation run by Ilan Shor, a fugitive Moldovan oligarch now residing in Russia. Veronica Dragalin, Moldova’s chief anti-corruption prosecutor, describes it as a “brazen and open attempt to corrupt an election,” with evidence gathered through wiretaps, police infiltrators, and witnesses.
The scheme allegedly shifted to using PSB, a sanctioned Russian bank, after airport routes became more difficult. Police chief Viorel Cernauteanu reports that by early October, as many as 130,000 voters – about 10% of the active electorate – had received payments through this scheme, with $15 million transferred in September alone.
President Maia Sandu, running for re-election on a pro-EU platform, faces 10 challengers, many sympathetic to Moscow. The referendum aims to enshrine Moldova’s goal of EU accession in the constitution, although membership talks have already begun.
In Gagauzia, a small autonomous region in southern Moldova, pro-Russian views remain strong. Deputy governor Ilya Uzun expresses admiration for Ilan Shor and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the complex political landscape.
As the election campaign reaches its climax, Sandu urges voters to support her and the EU, describing the campaign as “very difficult with a lot of lies and dirty money.” The outcome of both the presidential election and the referendum remains uncertain, with Moldova’s political direction hanging in the balance.
