Former fugitive MP Ilan Shor, sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud and money laundering in the “Bank Fraud” case, has published a “declaration-agreement” on the formation of the political bloc “Chance, Obligations, Achievements – Ș.O.R”. The document published by the convicted MP includes a symbol almost identical, with the same colours and font, to that of the former political party “Shor”, which was declared unconstitutional and dissolved.

According to the “declaration-agreement”, the representatives of the political parties “Forta de Alternativa e de Salvare a Moldovei” and the Moldovan Party “Ai nostri” have formed the political bloc “Șansă, Obligații, Realizări – Ș.O.R”, and Ilan Șor’s name is not mentioned, although on the website of the Șor party, in a press release, it is indicated that “as far as Ilan Șor is concerned, he will have the role of political coordinator in the bloc’s activity”.

The political party, Forta de Alternativa și de Salvare a Moldovei, was formed in March 2022, by a candidate on the lists of the Șor party for the July 2021 parliamentary elections.

The Moldovan party “Ours” was formed in August 2021, led by Mihail Ahremțev.

“Taking note of the regrettable situation regarding the unconstitutional declaration of the political party “Shor”, an unprecedented case in the history of Moldova (…),” the statement reads.

Ilan Shor announced on Monday, June 26, about the formation of the political bloc “Chance, Obligations, Achievements – Ș.O.R”.

The announcement came a week after the Constitutional Court upheld the government’s complaint and declared the “Șor” political party unconstitutional.

“(…) The abbreviated name is “Ș.O.R” Bloc and it has two objectives: to achieve victory in local, presidential and parliamentary elections, but also to do everything possible for Moldova to become rich, prosperous and truly independent (…) The “Chance, Obligations, Achievements” Bloc is the only competitor of PAS,” Ilan Șor said in a Facebook post.

After several weeks of debates, the Constitutional Court admitted on Monday, June 19, the government’s petition and declared unconstitutional the political party “Shor” on the grounds that the political party militates against the principles of the rule of law, sovereignty and independence of Moldova. Thus, as of the date of the judgment, the Political Party “Shor” is considered dissolved and no act of the bodies of this party has legal value. At the same time, the Ministry of Justice will appoint a commission to liquidate the party.

On Thursday 22 June, the Parliament approved a package of decisions to implement the Constitutional Court’s decision. Thus, the existence of the Shor Party faction has ceased by right, and the party’s representatives have been excluded from the composition of the Permanent Bureau of the Parliament and from the delegations of the Moldovan Parliament to international parliamentary organisations.

Ilan Shor, who fled Moldova in June 2019 after the fall of the Plahotniuc regime, was sentenced on 13 April 2023 by the judges of the Chisinau Court of Appeal to 15 years in a closed prison, with deprivation of the right to hold office in the banking system for 5 years. According to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, Ilan Shor is to repay more than 5.2 billion lei to the Savings Bank, a statement by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said.

Immediately after the decision of the Chisinau Court of Appeal, Shor threatened the three magistrates who sentenced him. “The magistrates who took this decision will very, very soon end up behind bars. I would like them, watching this video, to know that I and my supporters will certainly not forget how under pressure today an illegal decision was taken, in violation of all legal norms,” said Shor.

Shor left Moldova in June 2019, just after the fall of the Plahotniuc regime, and has been in Israel since then. Shor also holds the citizenship of this state, which, according to the Constitution, does not extradite its citizens. Although he was a member of parliament, Șor did not attend any meetings convened by parliament.