Gabriel Călin sentenced to 5-year suspended term and 650,000 lei fine
Former journalist Gabriel Călin received a 5-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 650,000 lei after being found guilty of money laundering.
According to the ruling issued by the Chisinau Court in Buiucani, Gabriel Călin has been sentenced for multiple offences, committed concurrently.
Călin will not serve any prison time if he refrains from illegal activities for the next five years. However, if he violates the law during this period, he will be required to serve a five-year prison sentence.
Additionally, the court has stripped Călin of his right to hold certain positions or engage in activities related to political parties for a duration of five years.
This decision can be appealed within 15 days at the Centru Court of Appeal.
Gabriel Călin, known for promoting Russian propaganda in the Republic of Moldova, was detained at the end of September following the 2025 parliamentary elections. He is accused of receiving $150,000 from the Russian Federation over the past four years.
Some of these funds were reportedly used for political activities, including managing transactions through an international platform known for converting Russian rubles into cryptocurrencies and other currencies, to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia after its military invasion of Ukraine.
During law enforcement searches, officers confiscated $36,000 and €5,750 for the benefit of the state, as well as electronic devices and documents that confirm Călin's involvement in transactions with the Russian Federation.
Publicly released audio intercepts indicate that Călin sought assistance from intermediaries and airlines to identify routes with multiple stops, ensuring that no records of his travels to the Russian Federation via Istanbul remained in official databases.
