Moldova convicts ex-Sor party heads for illicit funding
The Chisinau Court has convicted the regional branch heads of the former Sor Party from Ungheni and Rezina for knowingly accepting illegal financing from an organized criminal group.
The ruling, issued on April 24, includes prison sentences and the massive forfeiture of over €262,500 (approx. 5.1M MDL). Both officials are now barred from financial management roles in political parties for five years.
Sentencing and asset forfeiture
The former head of the Ungheni branch received a four-year suspended sentence with a three-year probation period. The court ordered the special confiscation of €163,974 (3,213,901 MDL) from her personal accounts, representing the illicit funds used for party activities.
The Rezina branch leader was sentenced to four years. He must serve two years in a semi-closed penitentiary, while the remaining two years are suspended. This defendant was placed on the wanted list after the court ordered his immediate preventive arrest.
The court also seized €98,613 (1,932,830 MDL) from the Rezina official. Existing seizures on the defendants' assets will remain in place to ensure the recovery of the funds.
Illicit influence and political interference
According to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, the defendants actively funneled money from a criminal group led by Ilan Sor. The party was declared unconstitutional in June 2023 and liquidated in early 2024.
Evidence from the National Anti-Corruption Center and the Intelligence Service shows the funds were used to bankroll protests and pay participants. Prosecutors stated the goal was to "influence political processes and seize power through illegal means."
The sentence is not final. Prosecutors have a 15-day window to appeal the ruling if they seek harsher penalties.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
