Oligarch Ilan Shor has called on Moldovan citizens to join an indefinite protest on Chisinau’s central square this week, promising each participant $3,000 per month. This announcement came in a video message released on August 11, 2025, sparking swift reaction from law enforcement. The Moldovan police inspectorate warned that paid participation in protests constitutes a serious legal violation and accused Shor of inciting illegal actions and violence. Authorities urged citizens not to fall for unlawful promises to avoid criminal charges.
Police warn against illegal mobilization and criminal involvement
Police have pledged to prevent criminal groups from exploiting the protests to organize unrest. Shor, a fugitive politician convicted of money laundering, leads a banned party, which the EU and Canada have sanctioned for attempts to destabilize Moldova. Meanwhile, Moldovan authorities recently exposed a new voter bribery scheme linked to Russia via a mobile app. The Central Election Commission barred Shor’s pro-Russian bloc from upcoming elections and called for restrictions on related political forces.
Paid protests as a tool of Russia’s hybrid warfare
Analysts view these paid protests as part of Russia’s hybrid war strategy, using externally funded political projects to destabilize pro-European states. Shor’s actions undermine Moldova’s democratic institutions by manipulating vulnerable populations through financial incentives, eroding the legitimacy of protest movements. Such tactics threaten the country’s constitutional order and political stability.
Moldovan instability risks broader European and regional security
The situation in Moldova has significant implications for European security. Destabilization could create a new flashpoint on the EU’s eastern border as pro-Russian forces seek to block Moldova’s European integration. This poses a potential threat to Ukraine, where a shift in Moldova’s political orientation could hinder security cooperation and enable expanded Russian hybrid influence along Ukraine’s southwestern flank. Kyiv closely monitors the developments and supports Moldova’s democratic trajectory.
Corruption under the guise of protest funding
Experts emphasize that paying protesters constitutes corruption, not political expression. Organizing protests for money aims to buy political influence and discredit genuine civil activism. Shor, implicated in corruption cases, leverages such schemes to evade justice, actions that contradict democratic principles and freedom of speech.
