Chisinau, Moldova (AP) – Moldovan authorities say they have committed 250 attacks and detained dozens of people as part of an investigation to incite a suspected Russian-backed plan as “mass riots.” Make the country unstable Around important parliamentary elections.
The attacks targeted more than 100 people and were carried out in multiple areas across the country, police said. He was detained for 72 hours, said Victor Furtuna, the office’s chief prosecutor, to combat organized crime and special cases.
Moldovan votes to select a new 101-seat assembly on Sunday. In the election, Choose a continuous path in Moldova Towards membership in the European Union or close ties with Russia.
Moldovan police said the unrest conspiracy was “adjusted by the Russian Federation through criminal elements.”
Furtuna said most of the suspects “systemically traveled” to Serbia where they trained and matured between the ages of 19 and 45.
Violel Sernaunounu, the head of Moldova police, said that some of the suspects had no idea of the true purpose of their trip, which was presented as a pilgrimage, and later became involved in “training for disability and destabilization.”
He added that the investigation “despite interpretation, it does not aim to be political entities; rather, it aims to document the criminal intent and organization of these individuals who travelled to Serbia for training.”
Moldova’s West Western President Maia Sandhu said in a statement after Monday’s attack that the Kremlin is spending “normal euros” to shake up the election.
“People get drunk every day by lying,” she said. “Hundreds of individuals are paid to spread disability, violence and fear. …I appeal to all citizens. We must not allow our country to be handed over to foreign interests.”
She added that the Kremlin “have accomplices here in Moldova,” and that people are describing people as “are happy to sell out their country for money.”
Moldovan authorities have long accused Russia of a hybrid war – interfering with elections, disinformation campaigns, illegally funding Russian political parties – are trying to derail the country’s path to membership in the European Union.
Moscow has repeatedly denied interference in Moldova.
In the wake of the full-scale invasion of Russia’s Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied to join the EU and was given the candidate position that year. Brussels I agreed to hold membership negotiations last year. Moldova’s shift west further plagued Moscow, and tensions between the two countries skyrocketed.
