Amnesty International stated in its annual report on the state of human rights in the world, published on Wednesday, that Moldova violated the right to association and freedom of expression in an alleged attempt to “counter Russian influence,” according to Romanian media.
Moldovan authorities banned the Shor party and suspended members of the Chance party, founded after the dissolution of the Shor party, from running in local elections last November, Amnesty International (AI) reported.
Fugitive politician Ilan Shor, who denies his 2023 sentence in Moldova, is currently in Russia, where he has arrived from Israel. On April 21, he announced the creation of a political bloc Victory, which aims to unite the opposition against the government in Chişinău. Shor stated that the party would contest this autumn’s presidential elections and referendum in Moldova.
AI pointed out in the report that in October 2023, Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service blocked more than 20 digital platforms and suspended six TV channels. The measure was part of a state policy against what Chişinău called “disinformation”.
In its report, AI highlighted tensions with Russia, mentioning that 45 Russian diplomats had been expelled and that Russian citizens were increasingly being denied entry to Moldova.
