Moldova recognizes as unconstitutional, bans pro-Russian Shor partyMoldova recognizes as unconstitutional, bans pro-Russian Shor party

Moldova's Constitutional Court banned the pro-Russian Shor party, headed by exiled businessman Ilan Shor who is accused by the West and the government of trying to destabilize the country, Moldova's President Maia Sandu reported[1] on her Facebook page on June 19. "It is a decision expected by society, precisely because Moldovans value and want to live in a democratic state, in a state based on the rule of law, where criminal organisations are not protected but prevented from capturing the state", Sandu wrote. She added that a political party "created out of corruption and for corruption" is a danger to the constitutional system and the security of Moldova.

According to the court's decision, other party's lawmakers will keep their seats as independent deputies but will not be able to join the other factions. "We will still come to power with our team," party vice-chairman Marina Tauber said. "Citizens must have the right to free choice." Sandu reported Moldova's state institutions would analyze the considerations of the Constitutional Court decision and take the next steps in order to effectively implement this decision.

In April, Ilan Shor, who resides in Israel, was sentenced[2] to 15 years in prison in absentia for fraud and money laundering. Shor and his political party have been under U.S. sanctions since October 2022. According to the U.S.

Treasury[3], in 2021 Shor worked "with Russian individuals to create a political alliance to control Moldova's parliament, which would then support several pieces of legislation in the interests of the Russian Federation". The Shor party won 6 of the 101 seats in parliament in 2021 during the last national election. The party has led protests in the capital Chisinau with demands for the resignation of President Maia Sandu and her pro-Western government.

Shor denied the protests were part of a Russian attempt to destabilize the country. Russia has also denied attempts to overthrow Sandu. In May, the European Union imposed[4] sanctions against Shor due to his association with the Russian government and because of his role in the pro-Russian unrest in Moldova.

Investigative Stories from Ukraine: Leaked document reveals alleged Russia's plan to gain control of Moldova by 2030

Welcome to Investigative Stories from Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent's newsletter that walks you through the most prominent investigations of the past week. If you are fond of in-depth journalism that exposes war crimes, corruption and abuse of power across state organizations in Ukraine and beyond,...

Reporter

Francis Farrell is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent. He has worked as managing editor at the online media project Lossi 36, and as a freelance journalist and documentary photographer.

He has previously worked in OSCE and Council of Europe field missions in Albania and Ukraine, and is an alumnus of Leiden University in The Hague and University College London.

References

1. ^ reported (www.facebook.com)
2. ^ sentenced (kyivindependent.com)
3. ^ U.S.

   Treasury (home.treasury.gov)

4. ^ imposed (www.hotnews.ro)
5. ^ Investigative Stories from Ukraine: Leaked document reveals alleged Russia's plan to gain control of Moldova by 2030Welcome to Investigative Stories from Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent's newsletter that walks you through the most prominent investigations of the past week.

   If you are fond of in-depth journalism that exposes war crimes, corruption and abuse of power across state organizations in Ukraine and beyond,... (kyivindependent.com)