Moldovan President Maia Sandu commented on March 31 on information that fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, under the guidance of Moscow, is using Moldovan priests to advance his interests in the country’s parliamentary elections. The head of state condemned the priests who contacted Shor, stressing that breaking the law leads to punishment, Moldovan media outlet NewsMaker.md reports. “They serve in this country and must respect both the country and its laws,” Sandu added.

On the air of the program “La 360 de grade on Radio Moldova,” Sandu was asked how situations in which priests get involved in political games can be prevented. In response, she stressed that priests are citizens of Moldova and must respect its laws. “Priests should know that they are citizens of this country and have the same obligations as any other citizen. If they follow orders coming from outside, it means they are breaking the law and will be punished like everyone else. They should understand that they serve in this country and must respect the country and its laws,” said Sandu.

When asked whether such priests could be held accountable, she replied that all those who break the law should be punished. “Using foreign money for election purposes is a violation of the law,” added Maya Sandu.

We recall that in September of last year, information appeared that dozens of priests from the Metropolitanate of Moldova had made a pilgrimage to Moscow, and upon their return, they received Promsvyazbank cards, to which they were promised to transfer salaries and financial assistance to the church. The travel expenses were borne by Ilan Shor. A media investigation indicated that the priests were thus bribed before the presidential elections in Moldova and the upcoming referendum.

In January of this year, the head of the General Inspectorate of Police, Viorel Cherneucanu, reported that Shor – under the direction of Moscow – had organized and paid for a trip of Moldovan priests to Serbia under the pretext of pilgrimage.

Initially, the Metropolitanate of Moldova condemned the actions of the priests and promised to monitor their participation in propaganda and political actions. However, it was later stated that the trip of the Moldovan priests to Moscow had been organized and paid for by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Subsequently, President Sandu called on Moldovan priests not to interfere in politics and not to participate in actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country.