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1h ago

Moldova Raids 250 Sites in Sweeps Over Suspected Russian Election Meddling

Authorities cite a Kremlin-directed plan to incite unrest, sway the vote, recruit diaspora, and run disinformation.

FILE - A girl skates next to a statue of Lenin, with the words "Board of Honor" written in Cyrillic in Romanian and Russian in Chisinau, Moldova, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - A woman mops a stage before an electoral rally of Moldova's President Maia Sandu in Magdacesti, Moldova, Oct. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - A woman casts her vote in a mobile ballot box during a presidential election runoff, in the village of Ciopleni, Moldova, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - Tatiana, 78 years old, signs her name to receive a stamp to cast her vote in a mobile ballot box in the village of Hrusevo, Moldova, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

Overview

  • Police and security services conducted more than 250 searches targeting over 100 people, including operations at four prisons, in a probe into plans for mass riots allegedly coordinated from Russia.
  • Bloomberg and the BBC reported documents and undercover findings pointing to a multi‑layered influence effort that includes recruiting Moldovans abroad, organizing disruptive protests, paying operatives, and spreading false narratives online.
  • Igor Dodon, co-leader of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, said some party members were searched and accused the ruling PAS of intimidation, while the Kremlin has denied interference.
  • Prosecutors have publicized photos of seized cash and released audio recordings they say relate to voter corruption and illegal financing tied to the pre‑election investigations.
  • The September 28 parliamentary vote could shape Moldova’s EU trajectory, with PAS leading in polls but facing uncertainty driven by economic grievances and the decisive role of diaspora turnout.