#Russia/World

Moldovan special services detained 74 people on suspicion of preparing mass riots ahead of parliamentary elections

2025.09.22

They were trained in Serbia under the guidance of Russian special services, during searches weapons and ammunition were seized

The police and prosecutor's office of Moldova stated that they conducted searches and detained 74 people on suspicion of preparing mass riots on the eve of the parliamentary elections, which will take place on September 28, reports IPN. The detainees were trained in Serbia under the guidance of Russian special services. During the searches, weapons, ammunition, tents, and camouflage clothing were seized.

According to the General Inspectorate of Police, the Information and Security Service, and the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime, 111 people are currently under investigation. Chief Prosecutor for Special Cases Victor Furtună stated that a group of Moldovans regularly traveled to Serbia, where they received special training. Participants were paid 400 euros and trained in tactics of dispersing police cordons, methods of resistance, the use of rubber batons, and handling firearms. The Director of the Information and Security Service, Alexandru Musteață, stated that the operation was led by a coordinator who presented himself as an officer of the Russian special services under the pseudonym Bes. An officer of the GRU also participated in the coordination, using a criminal network to find and recruit people.

The majority of the detainees are cooperating with law enforcement agencies and have provided detailed information on how these actions were organized.

The detainees face imprisonment for a term of four to eight years, depending on the severity of the crimes committed.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported on a plan to interfere in the elections in Moldova, which Russia developed to disrupt the government's efforts to maintain the country's course towards joining the European Union. According to the documents, the tactics include recruiting Moldovans abroad, including in Russia, to vote at polling stations in the EU and other countries, attracting individuals to organize destructive protests, a disinformation campaign on social networks, as well as through more traditional channels and call centers.

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