The US Treasury on October 26 imposed tough sanctions against 21 individuals and entities involved in corruption, which “caused serious harm to Moldova and its citizens”. Topping the list in the Treasury report are controversial politicians and businessmen V. Plahotniuc and Il. Shor, both of whom are wanted internationally, the “Shor” political party and other people involved in corruption associated with Plahotniuc and Shor. The US Treasury sanctions “imposed internationally on Plahotniuc and Shor will pave the way for them to go to court,” says Justice Minister Sergiu Litvinenco.

Is the noose tightening?

The “noose” is loose still… Plahotniuc (the situation is different with Shor) could have problems anywhere in America and in any corner of the world, where American sanctions have their power… But not in Moldova, which, in a very short time, may become the safest place for him. And that’s because the judicial system is more relaxed than ever. Both under Voronin and Plahotniuc, judges and prosecutors were at least afraid of one man’s ideology and another man’s mafia character. Now, with this government, they have no problem… The state is very weak. Plahotniuc has so far tested the reaction strength of the current government. Now, after Damir has been released from prison, after testing with Tutsu, who came to the Moldovan border and surrendered and is free, after Plahotniuc’s notary Bondarenco is at liberty, having been extradited from Belgium, I believe that Plahotniuc will return to Moldova with minimal risk of staying in prison. The situation in the case of Shor is more complicated. However, Shor has a first instance conviction, so I think he would rather go to Russia… Shor is the spearhead of Russia’s 5th column in Moldova… Plahotniuc today knows exactly what Moldovan justice is like after his departure from here and has no fear of returning home.

The fact that Moldovan citizens are mentioned in the US State Treasury reports is, first of all, a great shame, because everyone has access to these reports and our presence on the “black list” of corruption means less investment in Moldova and dozens of times more checks because of this reputation. These sanctions affect not only the individuals concerned, but also the entire Moldovan economy. To fight corruption, money laundering, smuggling, etc., we must have an effective and independent judiciary. I do not believe that the US Treasury sanctions will speed up criminal investigations in cases of grand corruption, because all the reforms so far have focused on economic, not practical, principles. Although a lot of money has been spent on justice reform, the reforms are not felt in practice.

It is very good that American and European institutions are intervening on our behalf, that all kinds of decisions are being taken regarding the big corruption and the big corrupt, but I am still reserved that this could change the situation in Moldova. These cases have been dragging on for years, and the results have been delayed. People are waiting for Shor to be put in jail, but he is at the protests, they are waiting for Plahotniuc to be sentenced, and he wants to return to politics. What’s going on? Are we the state? If “yes”, why don’t the laws work? Today we arrest them, tomorrow we let them go, again we arrest them and again we let them go. They leave, they run, we put them in the search. Justice, prosecutors, judges leave room for too many commas, instead of putting an end to these cases…

This decision by the US Treasury shows that the US is genuinely concerned and worried about the developments around Moldova, the way the Russian Federation is using the 5th column, resorting to illegal financing, to take control of Moldova. The fact that, to date, the Moldovan justice system has not yet reached a final and irrevocable ruling on a number of offences committed, including by our so-called oligarchs, who are, in fact, an organised criminal group, speaks volumes about the fact that the PAS government has inherited non-functional, corrupt state structures with powerful groups practising sabotage. It is only now that pre-vetting has been achieved, but the process is very difficult and this decision by the US Treasury is psychological assistance, but no more… No one can replace the state, which, for the time being, is, I repeat, sabotaged by organised criminal groups.

For compliance, P.G.