The creation of the „Victory” bloc in Moscow by the fugitive convict Ilan Șor is being investigated by Moldovan prosecutors for treason.
The announcement was made by the interim Prosecutor General of Moldova, Ion Munteanu.
Investigators in Moldova conducted over 150 searches on Monday night, most of which took place at the Chișinău airport.
In Moscow on Sunday, at a hotel near the Kremlin, several Moldovan politicians affiliated with Șor formed the political bloc "Victory," which will participate in the presidential elections and the referendum this fall.
The leaders of the new electoral bloc accused the authorities of deliberately delaying their return home from Moscow and harassing them at the airport, but did not provide details of what happened.
Law enforcement officials were informed that several individuals from this group were planning to illegally bring in amounts exceeding the legal limit into the country.
The money was intended to finance political parties in Moldova, in the interest of the "organized criminal group Șor," announced Viorel Cernăuțeanu, the head of the General Police Inspectorate (IGP), on Tuesday.
After the searches, the total amount found exceeds 20 million Moldovan lei (1 million euros), stated the official, cited by NewsMaker.
For their services, the "couriers" were remunerated with amounts ranging from 300 to 500 euros.
Airport Raids
Most of the searches, 135 in total, took place at the Chișinău Airport.
As a result of these actions, significant amounts of money in foreign currency were seized.
Additionally, 128 mobile phones were confiscated, detailed the interim chief prosecutor of the Prosecution Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Causes (PCCOCS), Victor Furtună.
"These are considerable sums. In total, it exceeds 20.40 million lei (over one million euros)," specified IGP chief Viorel Cernăuțeanu.
He explained that the money was transmitted through various means, including in areas within the Chișinău Airport or in means of transport on the way home.
"These people were merely carriers. They had cash in dollars, euros in their wallets, but they did not exceed the amount of 9,000 euros. (...) Some of the individuals targeted who acted as carriers communicated and cooperated with the law enforcement authorities," stated Cernăuțeanu.
Prosecutor Victor Furtună mentioned that the criminal investigation is ongoing. So far, no individuals have been detained.
Having taken refuge in Israel, Ilan Șor was sentenced in absentia last year to 15 years in prison for massive fraud, and he was also present at the event in Moscow, along with deputy Marina Tauber and the governor of Gagauzia, Evghenia Guțul.
Upon returning to the country, several participants in the event complained that their passports were confiscated. This action was denounced by Șor and the leaders of the parties affiliated with him.
Representatives of the Border Police stated that passengers were asked during customs control to have their luggage checked, "at which point they showed opposition and aggressively tried to evade the control, using offensive language."
Treason
The Prosecutor General's Office announced that it is investigating the political bloc "Victory," including for treason.
The electoral bloc was formed over the weekend in Moscow from several political formations that became active or were launched in Moldova after the former ȘOR party was banned.
"From our point of view, this action certainly has tendencies to endanger the state's security and is another manifestation of the criminal group Șor. I want to assure you that both the Prosecutor's Office and the criminal investigation body and the state security service are monitoring all actions related to our politicians' participation in Moscow, and at the right time, each action will be qualified," stated the interim Prosecutor General of Moldova, Ion Munteanu, on ProTV Chișinău.
IGP chief Viorel Cernăuțeanu, in turn, declared on Radio Moldova that by creating this bloc, Moscow is aiming to further destabilize the situation in Moldova.
"Certainly, the goals are not noble in relation to Moldova from the criminal group," said Cernăuțeanu. He maintains that the destabilization threats to the country from the 'criminal group Șor' come from various regions of the country, including Gagauzia, the Transnistrian region, the north, as well as the center of the country.
When asked if it is true that Șor is preparing a coup in Moldova, Viorel Cernăuțeanu stated: "This intention is not new and is not in the initial phase now. We have had it before. Of course, it is not excluded from the list of goals pursued by Moscow or some criminals directed from Moscow, but certainly we will not allow it to happen."