Car and cash seized as Moldova convict receives suspended sentence in ‘Șansa’ Party case
A Chisinau court has handed a four-year suspended sentence to a man involved in the illegal financing of political parties linked to the fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor. The ruling, issued on January 29, follows a plea bargain between the defendant and anti-corruption prosecutors.
While the defendant avoided immediate imprisonment, the state ordered the mandatory confiscation of several assets used in the illicit scheme. These include a Suzuki Vitara SUV and various cash amounts held in multiple currencies.
Assets seized for the state
The confiscated vehicle was reportedly used as a "grand prize" in an online contest designed to artificially expand the supporter base of the "Șansa" (Chance) Party. The SUV is valued at approximately €15,000 (approx. 294,000 MDL).
In addition to the vehicle, the court seized €165, $2,050, and 25,800 MDL (approx. €1,320) in cash. These funds were officially recognized as criminal evidence and have now been transferred to state ownership.
The 'Șansa' Party connection
The convict acted on behalf of the "Șansa" Party, a political entity that emerged following the 2023 dissolution of the Shor Party, which was declared unconstitutional. Prosecutors established that the defendant’s activities in the summer of 2024 were aimed at circumventing funding laws.
Under the terms of his three-year probation, the man must not commit further offenses or leave the country before the sentence becomes final. If he violates these conditions, he will be required to serve the full four-year prison term.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
