Law enforcement in Moldova conducted more than 40 searches on Thursday, 4 September, as part of a criminal investigation into alleged vote-buying, illegal financing of political parties and electoral competitors, and large-scale money-laundering.
The operations took place in the north of the country and involved police investigators working with prosecutors from the office for combating organised crime, supported by the BPDS “Fulger” special unit. Authorities said further details would be released after procedural actions conclude.
The General Inspectorate of Police and prosecutors coordinated the morning raids, which targeted locations linked to suspected schemes to influence voters and channel prohibited funds into the campaign. Initial notices from state information outlets and local media emphasised the scale of the action but did not name suspects or parties.
Thursday’s searches follow a similar operation on Tuesday, 2 September, when officers carried out 60 searches in Moldova’s south in a related case concerning electoral corruption and illegal party financing. Four people were detained after those actions, according to local reporting. State news agency Moldpres confirmed the scope and location of the 2 September raids.
Moldova is in the formal election period for parliamentary polls scheduled for Sunday, 28 September. The Central Electoral Commission opened the campaign on 29 August; by mid-August, 21 political parties, four electoral blocs and seven independent candidates had submitted documents, with ten of 32 applications rejected. The OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission led by Jillian Stirk, with a core team in Chisinau and 30 long-term observers across the country.
The latest enforcement measures form part of a series of steps taken this year to address alleged illicit financing and vote-buying. On 7 August, authorities reported 78 searches across multiple localities as part of an investigation into illegal funding and electoral corruption. Those actions were also announced by the General Inspectorate of Police.
Electoral integrity has been under heightened scrutiny since 2023–24, when Moldovan authorities and international organisations documented attempts to distort the vote through covert financing networks and direct inducements to voters. Analytical and monitoring bodies have noted the impact of illegal funding on the electoral process and have urged tighter oversight.
Regional and international institutions have also addressed related activity around Moldova’s elections this year. In July, the European Council imposed asset freezes and travel bans on seven individuals and three entities it said were responsible for destabilising Moldova, citing links to vote-buying and illicit funding schemes associated with pro-Russian political actors.
Moldovan authorities have previously alleged that organised networks sought to move funds through foreign financial institutions to influence ballots and referendums, and that domestic intermediaries attempted to recruit voters using direct payments. Reports and official briefings have detailed investigations into these channels, including methods used to distribute money to targeted groups.
The 28 September vote will determine the make-up of Moldova’s next parliament and the course of government policy through to 2029. Observers describe the election as a pivotal test for the country’s governance and its declared objective of closer integration with the European Union. Moldova’s parliament voted on 17 April to set the election date, with 57 deputies supporting the motion and 32 abstaining, according to international reporting.
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