Funding of the protests by the PP 'Șor': leaders of OT Criuleni and Ialoveni accused of complicity

1) Andrei Burciu, as the president of the Criuleni Territorial Organization of the Political Party “Șor”, contributed to the acceptance of illegal financing of the party from the organized criminal group led by Ilan Șor.

Between 23.07.2022 and 20.10.2022, he transmitted information via Telegram and other electronic means about the individuals mobilized for protests, transporters, lists of participants, and photographs regarding the boarding of protesters.

He organized the transportation of participants from the Criuleni district to the protests in Chișinău and received illicit funds, from which the transportation and 400 lei/day for the protesters were paid.
Additionally, between 18.09.2022 and 16.10.2022, he organized the daily participation of 22 individuals in the “City of Change,” for which 63,800 USD was allegedly paid, equivalent to 1,240,844 lei.
In total, Burciu's actions targeted the illegal financing of the OT Criuleni in the amount of 2,839,295.52 lei, being qualified as an accomplice in the acceptance of party financing from an organized criminal group.

2) Vasile Molovata, as the president of the Ialoveni Territorial Organization of the Political Party “Șor”, contributed to the acceptance of illegal financing of the party from the organized criminal group led by Ilan Șor.

Between June and October 2022, he organized the mobilization of individuals from the Ialoveni district for protests, identified transporters, and transmitted lists of participants, transport, and photographs to the Monitoring and Control Department of the party.

He received, kept, and managed undeclared funds used for paying transportation, compensating protesters with 400 lei/day, paying activists, maintaining the office, and other activities of the territorial organization.

Between 18.09.2022 and 16.10.2022, Molovata was also responsible for the record of individuals in tents in the “City of Change,” for which 147,900 USD was allegedly paid, equivalent to 2,876,502 lei.
In total, Molovata's actions targeted the illegal financing of the OT Ialoveni in the amount of 3,486,099.76 lei, being classified as complicity in the acceptance of political party financing from an organized criminal group.

Other property measures: maintaining asset seizure on the vehicle worth 28,192 MDL

First instance: 1) Conviction of Burciu Andrei
2) Conviction of Molovata Vasile
Appeal: No solution yet
Review: Not applicable

Suspended imprisonment. Imprisonment: 48 months (with suspension)

The case was tried in the court of first instance in general procedure. The defendants did not admit their guilt. In order to reach a conviction, the court of first instance examined several pieces of evidence (results of examinations, searches, special investigative measures, etc.), including hearing 21 witnesses. The case is relevant for judicial practice as it addresses electoral corruption acts carried out in 2022, including revealing methods of using money accepted from the organized criminal group “Șor” (organizing and remunerating individuals to participate in protests, paying members of PP “Șor”), the amount paid to each person for participating in protests, as well as communication methods for the preparation and prolonged commission of the acts.