Moldovan police reported on Thursday that they uncovered a program in which hundreds of its citizens were sent to Russia for training to organize riots, the latest accusation in a series of allegations of interference ahead of Sunday’s elections. They were also sent to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Earlier this month, police claimed that Russian-backed crime groups had bribed a number of voters and plotted to disrupt this weekend’s presidential elections and the referendum on the country’s aspirations for European Union membership, going as far as planning to seize state buildings.
Authorities stated that since June, people had been regularly taken in groups of around 20 to undergo training in Russia.
Recently, more than 300 young Moldovans visited Russia. The declared purpose was cultural events, but in reality, they visited camps where they received instructions on organizing riots in Moldova, said National Police Chief Viorel Cernauteanu.
“Some of these individuals were trained in camps linked to private military companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Serbia,” he said.
Russia, which accuses the pro-Western government of fostering “Russophobia,” has denied interference in Moldova, which began accelerating its departure from Moscow’s orbit after Russia’s full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022.
At a press conference, Moldovan police stated that law enforcement agencies believe a group associated with the fugitive pro-Kremlin businessman Ilan Shor had organized the training to incite unrest.
“The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into several criminal cases related to preparations for mass riots in the interest of the criminal community,” said Prosecutor Viktor Furtuna.
Shor, who is under U.S. sanctions for alleged election interference on behalf of Russia, denies wrongdoing or being a Russian political representative.
Via: thegeopost.com
