Moldovan police conduct searches in 13 districts in vote-buying case

Law enforcement agencies in Moldova are conducting searches in 13 districts as part of criminal cases involving voter bribery in the presidential elections, Report informs referring to the press service of the General Police Commissariat.

On October 31, searches were also conducted in six districts of the country targeting activists of the opposition Victory bloc. Investigators believe they receive monthly payments "from illegal sources to influence election results."

In total, searches were conducted on more than 1,000 people in October, with dozens detained.

The leader of the Victory bloc, Ilan Shor, called the authorities' accusations unfounded and the searches a pre-election show. Following the first round of voting on October 20, incumbent President Maia Sandu, who received 42.49% of the votes, and former Prosecutor General Alexander Stoianoglo with 25.95%, advanced to the second round.