The United Kingdom has imposed strict sanctions on a Russian-based organization accused of interfering in Moldova’s democratic processes. The group, known as Evrazia, is accused of attempting to manipulate elections and a key national vote in Moldova. British authorities say these actions were designed to disrupt Moldova’s efforts to move closer to the European Union.
According to UK officials, the organization used money and influence to sway public opinion against Moldova’s path to European integration. In response, the UK government has frozen the group’s assets and banned key members, including its founder Nelli Parutenco and board member Natalia Parasca, from traveling to the country.
This decision, announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is part of Britain’s broader efforts to counter threats to democracy across Europe.
Accusations of Bribery and Vote Buying in Moldova
Moldovan authorities have long accused Russian-backed groups of meddling in their country’s politics. The latest accusations focus on last year’s referendum, where Moldova voted on whether to amend its constitution to support European Union membership. Officials claim that Evrazia was behind a large-scale bribery scheme to convince voters to reject the proposed changes.
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Moldovan police say that roughly 130,000 citizens were paid by Evrazia to vote against the EU-aligned amendment. The payments allegedly ranged from $50 per month for regular supporters to over $2,500 per month for key leaders involved in the campaign. Investigators say the total amount spent on this vote-buying effort was about $15 million.
The Moldovan prime minister, Dorin Recean, has further revealed that Russian operatives spent an estimated 200 million euros—nearly 1% of Moldova’s entire economy—to influence both the presidential election and the referendum.
He warned that such large-scale financial interference was aimed at destabilizing the country and preventing Moldova from advancing its EU membership ambitions.
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu, who has championed a pro-European stance, welcomed the UK’s sanctions. She described them as a strong warning that foreign attempts to undermine democracy will not go unpunished.
UK’s Stand Against Foreign Interference
The UK has been vocal in its opposition to foreign interference in democratic processes. British officials have previously accused Russia of using disinformation, hidden financial networks, and political pressure to weaken Moldova’s democratic system. This latest move against Evrazia is seen as a direct response to those concerns.
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British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the importance of blocking the flow of illicit money that enables such interference. He stated that when corrupt funds are allowed to circulate freely, they erode public trust and destabilize economies. He stressed that by taking action, the UK is helping to protect democratic institutions that are supposed to serve and be accountable to the people.
The FCDO also highlighted that Evrazia was operated by Ilan Shor, a Moldovan oligarch based in Russia. Shor had already been sanctioned by the UK in 2022 due to his involvement in political interference.
The European Union had already imposed similar sanctions on Evrazia last year, further isolating the group.
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Russia, however, has denied all accusations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. Despite these denials, Western governments remain firm in their stance against what they see as Russian-backed efforts to keep Moldova under Moscow’s influence.
With these sanctions in place, the UK aims to send a clear message: efforts to manipulate elections and disrupt democratic processes will face serious consequences. This action reinforces London’s commitment to supporting nations that seek to uphold democratic values and resist foreign interference.
