Republic of Moldova

The exiled Moldovan oligarch and political party leader Ilan Shor was sentenced to 15 years in prison on 13 April for his role in the theft of about USD 1 billion in bank assets, or about 15 per cent of the country’s GDP, in 2015. The Moldovan parliament then stripped Shor of his parliamentary mandate on 27 April. Shor’s party, which holds six of parliament’s 101 seats, has organized large protests against inflation and the government’s support of Ukraine. These protests contributed to the resignation of the government in February 2023. The Moldovan government has argued the protests are the work of “criminal groups” and that protesters are being compensated to attend. Protesters interviewed by journalists have spoken openly about being transported to the capital on buses by the Shor Party and paid a daily rate to participate.

Organized Crime Civil Unrest Ilan Shor

Dorin Recean was sworn in as Moldova’s new prime minister on 16 February, less than a week after the resignation of his predecessor, Natalia Gavrilita. Although both are avowedly pro-Western politicians, Gavrilita’s government cited a lack of popular support for European integration policies and the economic and social instability caused by Russia’s war on neighbouring Ukraine as reasons for the resignation. Tensions have been fanned by the vocal protests of the pro-Russian Shor party and its supporters, as well as allegations by Moldovan and Ukrainian officials that Moscow was attempting to mount a coup in the country.

Coup d'état Dorin Recean Natalia Gavrilita