Former fugitive MP Ilan Șor has come up with his first reaction after statements made by former MP Arina Spătaru on the criminal case opened on the fact of illegal financing of political parties by Șor, in which he collaborated undercover.

He claims that he was told some time ago that Spătaru was working with the lawmen, but did not believe it.

“I was informed a month and a half ago that Arina Spătaru is a decoy. Honestly, I didn’t believe it, because a woman who has a priest husband, cannot lie looking directly in the eyes.(…) I note that I have supported and will support in the future, all political projects, openly I said about this, that will fight the Sandu regime.(…) Mrs. Spătaru is lying, because when she asked me directly about funding, I absolutely openly told her that the money I direct, is from business projects. Everyone has already understood that the myth about Shor being a Kremlin project is not true. (…),” said Shor.

At the same time, the convicted fugitive claimed that the chairwoman of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) party had “forgotten” to mention that she had “sought” to meet with Shor for several months.

“I don’t consider that I am doing anything illegal. Like European funds, I support political projects in Moldova. The difference is that I give money for roads, infrastructure, social aid and develop my country.

(…) I can certainly say that I am doing everything right. I have supported and continue to support Moldova. Yes, today the law enforcement agencies say that my money is dirty, why? Because they have to admit that the money they receive from organizations in Europe is dirty. (…) Mrs. Spătaru, I, like your husband, believe in God. I believe that the day will come when God will do justice”, said the leader of the only party in Moldova declared unconstitutional.

The National Anti-Corruption Centre (CNA) has published an audio clip, recorded as part of the investigation into illegal funding of political parties, containing part of a conversation between Ilan Shor and another person on 6 August 2023 via the Bria communication app.

The conversation is between Ilan Shor and the secretary general of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) party Adrian Culai. The two discuss the budget provided by Șor to the ALDE party.

For the past five months, fugitive ex-deputy Ilan Șor has allegedly believed that “Arina Spătaru was bought with his money”. The statement was made by the former MP, admitting that she is a former elected representative of the people recruited by Alexandr Nesterovschi, who collaborated with the lawmen to investigate Shor and illegal party financing.

ALDE party secretary-general Adrian Culai also took part in the undercover operation.

“I, Arina Spătaru, also Victoria Bogatu, undercover agent, am the deputy mentioned yesterday in the Moldovan Parliament by the acting Prosecutor General, by the head of the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office (…). I have been waiting for this moment since 15 April. To tell you the details of this investigation that will really blow up Moldovan politics,” Spătaru said.

The politician also said that Shor allegedly believed that the ALDE party was made at his behest.

“This was our mission, to document how the Kremlin-funded Shor is growing his parties in Moldova (…). Yes, we know there are major risks, we know that Shor is vindictive.

I was afraid every night, for my life and my family’s life, and I was aware of the risk I was taking. You can’t imagine the impudence and impertinence of Shor, who sent Nesterovschi home, to work, to work, through the supermarket, on the phone, with flattery, with manipulation, just to buy me like at the market. I was visited unannounced at home, at work, he approached me wherever he caught me. On the other hand, I was aware that we had many politicians who could be bought by such methods (…).

After my denunciation in April 2023, in which I informed the authorities that Nesterovschi wanted to buy me for Shor, the prosecutor authorized the first investigation. My first conversation with Shor was documented through the Bria application”, said the ALDE president.

She said she had been in Israel, visiting Ilan Shor, “in his luxurious villa, and listened to his evil plans”. Spătaru presented a mobile phone that Șor allegedly gave her with the money.

“Thanks to this operation, Șor was located and his real address in Caesarea in early August appeared in the investigations of journalists in Israel,” the former MP added.

“Nesterovschi passed on a package of 50 thousand dollars and 100 thousand lei to a former deputy”. The head of the PA comes up with details of the dossier on illegal financing of political parties

Irina Lozovan and Alexandr Nesterovschi, deputies of the “Renaissance” party, affiliated to former fugitive MP Ilan Shor, whose parliamentary immunity was lifted, were detained on Thursday evening, 21 September, for 72 hours.