CHISINAU, Nov. 11 About 13,000 euros and documents were confiscated in the case of preparing mass riots, the press service of the police reported.
On Friday, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of Moldova reported that searches were being carried out at the head office of the Party of Socialists in a case related to allegedly illegal financing of political forces. Similar searches took place the day before at another opposition party, Shor, which organizes indefinite protests in Chisinau.
«The prosecutor's office completed the Friday searches carried out in Chisinau and Hincesti, in the case of preparing mass riots, as a result of which more than 250 thousand lei (about 13 thousand euros) and other evidence were seized. There are grounds to suspect that the money was obtained as a result of illegal activities They were supposed to be used to … reward persons incited to conduct mass riots,» the message published on the police website reads.
Also, during the search, draft documents containing telephone contacts of protesters mobile phones, unregistered air pistol and pyrotechnic products (firecrackers).
«The case concerns preparations for mass riots from September 18, 2022 to the present. According to the law, the crime under investigation is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 4 to 8 years,» the police noted.
The Moldovan authorities have recently tightened control over opposition parties in connection with the protests that have been going on for several months. The protesters are outraged by the unprecedented increase in prices for gas, other energy resources and food, as well as high inflation and falling living standards. The protesters accuse the authorities of failing to cope with the crisis, point to a record inflation over the past 20 years, which in September amounted to 33.97% on an annualized basis. The country's leadership is criticized for its unwillingness to negotiate better gas prices with Russia, as well as for political pressure on opposition representatives.
Moldovan Justice Minister Sergei Litvinenko admitted that the Shor opposition party, one of the organizers of the protests, could be recognized outlawed if foreign funding is proven.