Police warn Saturday’s protest is illegal; ex-Shor member: "A trap set in cold blood"
Police of the Republic of Moldova is warning citizens about the intentions of the criminal organization "Sor" to organize an illegal protest on Saturday, August 16. Dinu Țurcanu, a former member of the unconstitutional "Sor" Party and organizer of the anti-government protests of 2022–2023, cautioned that the demonstrations scheduled for August 16, 2025, could escalate into violence.
Authorities are urging the public not to respond to invitations or participate in any criminal activities or misdemeanors. Law enforcement officials identified new methods used by criminal organizations to register participants in order to facilitate transfers through PSB.
At the same time, the police state that the protest announced by group leader Ilan Șor "is not authorized and does not have an established location for the event; the two locations he has mentioned are designated for other activities."
Dinu Țurcanu, the former president of the Orhei district (2019-2023) and a former member of the "Șor" Party, stated that "the protest announced by Ilan Șor is compromised from the start," noting that it exists "within an illegal framework."
During a live stream on social media, Țurcanu warned that the protest could escalate into "bloodshed." He emphasized, "Apart from provocations that will result in bloodshed, nothing good will come from these protests," and urged the people of Orhei and Gagauzia not to fall into the "trap laid in cold blood to the Republic of Moldova."
We remind you that Ilan Șor, a fugitive sentenced to 15 years in prison for involvement in bank fraud, invited citizens via social media to participate in "nonstop" protests in the Great National Assembly Square starting August 16, promising them $3,000 per month. However, after PMAN was booked for a government-organized exhibition, Șor, who was in Moscow at the time, changed the protest location to the Chisinau Train Station.
The police have encouraged local authorities to seek a court order to ban the protest, but the Chisinau City Hall requested “additional evidence” before proceeding.
Viorel Cernăuțeanu, the head of the General Inspectorate of Police, warned that individuals participating in these protests, including those setting up tents in the capital's streets, may face fines of up to 7,500 lei per day. He added that the penalties are significantly higher than the compensation promised by Ilan Șor.
