Canada sanctions Moldovan politicians, groups linked to Russia

Canada has announced sanctions against sixteen individuals and two organisations for their involvement in activities linked to Russian interference in Moldova.

The measures, under the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations, target people and groups associated with politician and businessman Ilan Shor, who left Moldova in 2019, Caliber.Az reports, citing Canadian media.

The sanctioned individuals include former Moldovan officials, associates of Shor’s political party, the Shor Party, and representatives of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, a region with reported ties to Russia.

Media figures accused of spreading pro-Russian disinformation in Moldova are also included.

In addition, Canada has sanctioned the Shor-led political bloc Victory/Pobeda, established in Russia as a successor to the Shor Party, as well as a Shor-backed paramilitary group and its leader, who were involved in anti-government protests in Moldova in 2023.

These actions come ahead of Moldova’s parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that Canada “strongly condemns any attempts to influence, interfere with, corrupt or discredit legitimate and democratic governments,” affirming support for Moldova’s democratically elected authorities and their efforts to maintain sovereignty and democratic reforms.

Canada first imposed sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations in June 2023. Since 2014, the country has applied sanctions on over 3,300 individuals and entities across Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova in coordination with international partners.

By Aghakazim Guliyev