Pro-Kremlin forces are meddling in Moldova's upcoming presidential election by paying off tens of thousands of voters in a sweeping plot to derail Chisinau's bid for closer ties with the European Union, the country's police and Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office said.
During a briefing on October 3, the head of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernauteanu, and the head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, Veronica Dragalin, said that in September alone more than $15 million from Russian banks were directed to the accounts of more than 130,000 Moldovan citizens.
Cernauteanu said police had raided 25 locations as part of the investigation.
The plot was allegedly hatched by Ihan Shor, a Russian-backed fugitive oligarch implicated in a $1 billion bank fraud and other illicit schemes who organized months of protests in Chisinau against the pro-Western government of President Maia Sandu.
The money was funneled into the country by people affiliated with Shor, Cernauteanu said.
"We are finding an unprecedented phenomenon for the Republic of Moldova -- of financing and corruption, with a view to disrupting the electoral process," Cernauteanu said, adding that the country is the target of "direct attacks coming from the Russian Federation."
SEE ALSO: Moldova 'Confident' Of Democratic Vote Despite WarningsSandu has portrayed the October 20 contest as a test of her pro-European policies. It will be held alongside a referendum asking voters whether Moldova should be able to join the European Union. Sandu, who is seeking a second term, has long accused Russia of attempting to overthrow her government through various means, a charge Moscow denies.
The United States has also warned of alleged Russian plans to use disinformation to interfere in the voting to derail Moldova’s significant progress on reforms.
Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi expressed confidence in early September that Moldovan authorities and society can ensure smooth and democratic elections despite fears of Russian meddling.
“We are working with our electorate, campaigning, explaining, the risks and the threats that Moldova faces in a democratic environment, in a competitive democratic space, which unfortunately the pro-Russian candidates would not be able to enjoy in Russia,” Popsoi told RFE/RL.