Moldova on High Alert as Cash Smuggling Operation Threatens Election Integrity

Moldova is facing a critical moment as the country prepares for two key votes this weekend amidst concerns of a cash smuggling operation aimed at influencing the election outcome. The Chisinau Airport has ramped up security measures, with sniffer dogs diligently searching for large sums of money that may be linked to Russian meddling in Moldovan politics.

The operation came to light in May when customs officers discovered significant amounts of cash on passengers arriving from connecting flights from Moscow. Unusual patterns emerged, as individuals who had never left Moldova before were returning from short trips to Russia with substantial sums of money. The head of customs at Chisinau Airport, Ruslan Alexandrov, noted that the amounts themselves were not illegal, but the circumstances raised suspicions.

Authorities swiftly seized the cash, amounting to $1.5 million in a single day, suspecting it to be part of an ongoing operation orchestrated by fugitive Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor. Shor, convicted of major fraud in Chisinau, currently resides in Russia, which refuses to extradite him. The authorities believe that Shor’s operation aims to buy political influence in Moldova.

As Moldova gears up for the presidential election and a referendum on EU accession, the airport remains on high alert. Flights from “high-risk” routes are met by sniffer dogs, and additional baggage scans are conducted on at least half of the passengers. President Maia Sandu, running for re-election on a pro-EU platform, faces opposition from candidates sympathetic to Moscow. The referendum seeks to enshrine Moldova’s goal of EU accession in the constitution, a move that has already sparked heated debates.

Moldova’s chief anti-corruption prosecutor, Veronica Dragalin, has described the cash smuggling operation as a brazen attempt to corrupt the election. Working closely with the police, her team has uncovered evidence of a pyramid payments scheme orchestrated by Ilan Shor and his group, openly operated from Russia. The funds were initially transported by cash couriers but later channeled through a sanctioned Russian bank. It is estimated that around 130,000 voters, approximately 10% of the active electorate, received payments through this scheme.

While the source of the funds remains unknown, Shor openly promotes his anti-EU stance and promises financial incentives to pensioners who support his cause. Despite being convicted of money laundering and embezzlement, Shor continues to exert influence through his investments and social spending initiatives, particularly in Gagauzia, a small autonomous region in southern Moldova.

The region’s deputy governor, Ilya Uzun, openly supports Shor and dismisses accusations of Kremlin-backed destabilization. Uzun claims that people in Gagauzia will vote as Shor instructs them, not solely for financial gain but due to their trust in him. Pro-Russian sentiments and Kremlin-led narratives have long been prevalent in Gagauzia, where Russian state TV channels are still widely watched, despite a national ban.

As the election campaign reaches its climax, President Maia Sandu has faced numerous challenges, including the spread of misinformation and the influx of illicit funds. In her final rally, Sandu emphasized the importance of voting for the EU as the path to peace and urged Moldovans to protect the country from harm. The referendum, initially intended to reinforce Moldova’s EU aspirations, has become a risky political move, adding further complexity to an already contentious election.