Russian cash-for-votes infiltrates Moldova ahead of elections

 In recent months, sniffer dogs at Chisinau Airport have been on high alert, particularly Ami, a diligent black retriever. She meticulously inspects each suitcase rolling off the baggage claim, detecting cash that could signal suspicious activities tied to Russian interference in Moldovan politics. Back in May, customs officers noticed a concerning trend, as arriving passengers on connecting flights from Moscow were returning with large sums of money—2,000, 3,000, even 7,000 euros—despite many of them having never traveled outside Moldova before.

Ruslan Alexandrov, the head of customs, highlighted the abnormality of these transactions. Certain flights, such as those from Moscow to Istanbul and Moscow to Yerevan, both connecting to Chisinau, have raised significant suspicions. These routes have been scrutinized due to their patterns, which appear questionable despite the legality of the amounts involved. The scrutiny stems from concerns about potential illicit activities linked to these flights, particularly in the context of Moldova's political landscape and external influences. Typically, travelers don’t carry that much cash from Moscow,” he explained. As a result, authorities began seizing the money, with one day alone yielding $1.5 million, and no one ever claimed the confiscated cash.

The Moldovan government suspects that these cash-carrying passengers are part of a broader scheme orchestrated by Ilan Shor, a fugitive oligarch convicted of fraud, currently residing in Russia, which refuses to extradite him. As critical elections approach, the airport remains vigilant, with sniffer dogs and extensive baggage scans for passengers from high-risk routes.

President Maia Sandu is seeking re-election on a pro-European Union platform, facing ten opponents, many of whom lean towards Moscow. Voters will also participate in a referendum aimed at enshrining the goal of EU membership in the constitution. As Moldova grapples with its political identity since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the East-West dynamic has intensified, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Veronica Dragalin, Moldova’s chief anti-corruption prosecutor, expressed her concerns over the blatant attempts to corrupt the electoral process. Her office has uncovered evidence of a pyramid scheme financed from Russia, aimed at manipulating the upcoming elections. “This is a foreign attempt to influence our elections,” Dragalin stated, detailing findings from wiretaps and informants.

As authorities cracked down on cash couriers at the airport, payments shifted to a sanctioned Russian bank, PSB. By early October, around 130,000 voters had reportedly received money through this scheme, representing approximately 10% of the electorate. In September alone, $15 million was transferred, complicating investigations into the origins of these funds.

Despite new laws against vote-buying, which carry severe penalties, the desperate economic situation in one of Europe’s poorest countries makes citizens vulnerable to such schemes. Shor, who fled Moldova in 2019, openly campaigns against EU membership, promising financial incentives to those who support his agenda. His influence persists, even as efforts to block his messaging intensify.

Ilya Uzun, the deputy governor of Gagauzia, a small autonomous region in southern Moldova, openly expresses his admiration for strong leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump. He believes these leaders prioritize their countries, a sentiment that remains unchanged despite Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Uzun's disdain for the European Union (EU) is particularly pronounced, especially regarding its stance on LGBT rights, which he vehemently opposes. When asked about the upcoming EU referendum, many locals in Comrat, the regional capital, indicate they would vote "no" to prevent "gay parades" from occurring in their town.

Gagauzia has a long history of pro-Russian sentiment, with many residents still tuning into Russian state television despite a national ban. Recently, Ilan Shor, a fugitive Moldovan oligarch, has been investing heavily in the region. Uzun refers to Shor as “our political leader” and dismisses his criminal conviction as politically motivated. He notes that Shor provides financial support to around 30,000 residents and has funded infrastructure projects, such as re-tarmacking roads, which he claims benefits the community.

While the anti-corruption prosecutor clarifies that using donations for social spending is legal, channeling Shor’s funds to political parties is not. The regional governor, Evghenia Gutul, has been charged with such offenses. As Uzun shows off Gagauziyaland, a newly built but empty amusement park, he insists that the people will vote as Shor directs—not for money, but out of trust in his leadership.

Meanwhile, President Maia Sandu is campaigning vigorously for her re-election, emphasizing her pro-EU stance. At a rally in Telenesti, she urged voters to support her and the EU as the best path to peace, acknowledging the challenges of a campaign filled with misinformation and corruption. Sandu's efforts to reinforce Moldova's European aspirations through a referendum have turned into a politically risky maneuver, as she faces not only the presidential election but also the potential fallout from the referendum on EU accession.

As the election approaches, the political landscape in Moldova remains tense, with competing narratives and influences shaping the choices of voters.