IGP: In September alone, 15 million dollars transferred from Russia to corrupt voters

Chisinau, Oct. 3 /MOLDPRES/- National Investigation Inspectorate jointly with Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office carried out today more than 25 searches in a criminal case on illegal financing of political parties. Over 130 thousand citizens are being targeted by law enforcement bodies, on whose accounts more than 15 million dollars were transferred from the Russian Federation in September alone. Head of the General Inspectorate of Police Viorel Cernauțeanu and chief prosecutor of the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office Veronica Dragalin made the statement today.

According to Cernăuțeanu, the searches were conducted in the criminal case on illegal financing of political parties, initiative groups and electoral contestants - committed in large proportions, as well as for money laundering committed by an organized criminal group in particularly large proportions. During the searches, the following were seized: draft writings, cell phones and sums of money in various currencies.

According to the materials, the persons affiliated to the criminal organization led by Ilan Shor were instructed to recruit people to participate in the elections in exchange for money.

The organized criminal group also consists of persons who are located on the territory of the Russian Federation and direct the activity "in a well-organized hierarchical form consisting of: 130 territorial leaders who direct the activity of the group, being paid 45 thousand lei per month. About 1,927 sector presidents who recruit and direct the activity of the group of activists and supporters, being paid 4,600 lei per month. More than 50 thousand activists who collect and direct the activity of the group of supporters, are paid 4,600 lei per month. Over 70 thousand supporters - people recruited for money and instructed to vote in the Referendum with the option "No" as well as the candidate to be voted. They would be paid 1,800 lei per month," the police said.

"As of today, the Republic of Moldova is under direct attacks coming from the Russian Federation in various forms, one of them being the illegal financing of parties. I should mention that as of today the police are aware of more than 130 thousand people involved in these actions. In September alone, more than 15 million dollars have been transferred to the addresses of these people who have different roles in the group. I would like to point out that all forms of securing the mechanisms for taking personal data and guiding these people are carried out via telegram. These transfers are aimed at disrupting the electoral process in the Republic of Moldova and are not only aimed directly at corruption, but also at other actions such as organizing protests and destabilization. In this context, I would like to reiterate that for all these actions, each person involved is liable," said Cernăuțeanu.

The two heads of the relevant institutions urged citizens who have received transfers from members of the group to notify the police and cooperate with law enforcement bodies.

Dragalin announced the fines that the members of the group risk. She said that all those involved in the scheme, depending on the degree of their involvement, risk prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to one million lei. Some members of the group are also at risk of having their assets seized.