EU Court upholds sanctions against Maria Albot, an associate of convicted Ilan Șor
The General Court of the European Union (EU) has rejected former MEP Maria Albot's request to annul the sanctions imposed on her by the EU in 2024. These sanctions target her as a close relative of the convicted Ilan Șor. Additionally, the court dismissed her claim for compensation for the material and non-material damages she alleges to have suffered due to the sanctions.
The court's decision, delivered on October 1 of this year and made public on November 17, upholds the ban on Maria Albot from entering or transiting through any EU Member State. It also confirms the freezing of all her funds and economic resources.
Furthermore, no funds or economic resources may be made available, either directly or indirectly, to her or for her benefit.
The General Court's verdict, published in the Official Journal of the EU, states:
"The Court:
- Dismisses the action;
- Orders Ms. Maria Albot to pay the costs."
Maria Albot, a former deputy of the "Sor" Party—which was declared unconstitutional in the Republic of Moldova—was added to the EU sanctions list in February 2024 while serving as an advisor for foreign relations to the Bashkan of Gagauzia.
In addition to Albot, several others were sanctioned at that time. These included Arina Corșicova and Dumitru Chitoroagă, administrators of Shor's television stations; Chiril Guzun, president of the "People's Shield" association; and Dmitri Miliutin, an agent of the FSB. All were accused of plotting actions to destabilize the Republic of Moldova.
The EU indicated that Maria Albot was considered one of Ilan Shor's trusted associates and was allegedly involved in bank fraud.
It is important to note that the sanctions list, starting in 2023, also included Vlad Plahotniuc, Ilan Șor, Marina Tauber, Evghenia Guțul, Gheorghe Cavcaliuc, Alexandr Nesterovschi, Irina Lozovan, and Natalia Parasca, along with entities affiliated with Șor, such as the “A7” company and the “Victorie” bloc.
Plahotniuc, Șor, and Tauber challenged the sanctions at the European Court of Justice. While the latter two lost their cases, Plahotniuc won in October 2024, arguing that the EU had not adequately explained the reasons for the sanctions. Nevertheless, the EU renewed the sanctions during this time.
