Moldova: Shor used $39 million to bribe voters. In October, the money was sent through Promsvyazbank

Photo: Moldova Police Chief Viorel Cernautanu

Businessman Ilan Shor, who is hiding from justice, spent $39 million in September and October to bribe voters in the presidential elections and referendum on Moldova's accession to the EU that took place last Sunday, October 20. This was reported by Moldovan police, Reuters reports.

Earlier, the country's law enforcement agencies accused Shor of trying to bribe 130,000 voters.

Moldovan police chief Viorel Cernautanu said at a briefing on Thursday, October 24, that Shor used Russia's Promsvyazbank to transfer $24 million in October, in addition to $15 million sent in September, to bribe voters.

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Moldova's incumbent President Maia Sandu won Sunday's presidential election, but fell short of 50% of the vote and faces a runoff scheduled for November 3. Her opponent is the country's former prosecutor general, Alexandru Stoianoglo, who is backed by the pro-Russian PSM party. The referendum saw 50.46% of voters vote in favor of joining the EU.

During the campaign, Shor openly offered to pay Moldovans to convince others to vote against joining the EU in the referendum and support a specific candidate, whom he did not publicly name. To do this, he launched a bot on Telegram.

According to Cernăutsanu, before the vote, police blocked 97 chatbots explaining to people how to use the Promsvyazbank banking app. and get money.

On Monday, October 21, Sandu said there was “clear evidence” that criminal groups supported by “foreign forces hostile to our national interests” sought to buy 300,000 votes.

Prepared by: Serghei Daga