Moldovan Elections Under Threat: Operations, Arrests, and Political Tensions on the Eve of Voting
On the eve of critical parliamentary elections in Moldova, the country’s law enforcement agencies carried out a series of large-scale operations, publicly announced as preventive measures aimed at uncovering and thwarting potential provocations allegedly organized by Russia.
Over recent days, more than 250 searches and dozens of detentions were conducted by local police and anti-organized crime units.
Authorities emphasize that these actions are strictly preventive, designed to document possible malicious intentions and prevent destabilization.
Prosecutor Victor Furtuna confirmed that 74 individuals were detained and will be held in custody for up to three days.
According to officials, most detainees are between 19 and 45 years old, many of whom traveled regularly to Serbia, where they received training in preparation for possible provocations.
Moldova’s police chief, Viorel Cernăuțanu, stated that some of those detained were unaware of the true purpose of their trips, which were presented as pilgrimages, but later involved participation in training for mass unrest and destabilization efforts.
Importantly, government officials stress that these measures do not target political parties or movements and are solely aimed at uncovering and preventing criminal schemes linked to foreign interference.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu responded sharply to the searches and arrests, asserting that Moscow is spending hundreds of millions of euros to influence upcoming elections.
“People are poisoned with lies every day,” she said.
“Hundreds are financed to provoke chaos, violence, and spread fear.
We cannot allow foreign forces to control our country.” She also accused Russia of mobilizing local agents willing to sell their country for money.
Moldova has long accused Russia of engaging in hybrid warfare, including election interference, disinformation campaigns, and illegal funding of pro-Russian parties to hinder the country’s European integration.
Russia repeatedly denied meddling.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova has applied for EU membership, obtaining candidate status the same year.
Brussels agreed to start accession talks last year, intensifying the friction with Russia, which seeks to stop Moldova’s European course at any cost.